Healthcare Changemakers Conclave Shines a Light on 80 Crore Indians Without Health Coverage and Strained Government Hospitals
The Healthcare Changemakers Conclave-2023 recently convened to celebrate and acknowledge the tremendous contributions of healthcare professionals and organizations in India. The unique Doctor Couple Changemakers Awards, a first-of-its-kind initiative, recognized the dedication and sacrifices of doctor couples working collaboratively to improve India’s healthcare landscape.
Chief Guest Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS, External Affairs and Culture of India, praised the event for uniting changemakers and expressing gratitude for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also emphasized the government’s commitment to improving healthcare accessibility through initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the expansion of AIIMS and viral testing labs across the country.
Guest of Honour Shri C K Mishra, former Secretary for Health Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, underscored the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility, affordability, quality, and equity. He believes that celebrating the work of changemakers is crucial for motivating others to contribute positively to the healthcare sector.
Dr. Upasana Arora, MD of Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals, called for a change in attitudes and behaviors to make India’s healthcare system more scalable, affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly. She cited the construction of new green hospitals powered by solar energy as an example of sustainable development in action.
Commander Navneet Bali, Regional Director – North of Narayana Health, highlighted the issue of healthcare accessibility in India. He noted that despite the implementation of Ayushman Bharat, around 80 crore Indians still lack health coverage, leading to high out-of-pocket expenditure for medical care. Overburdened government hospitals struggle to provide timely care, with daily OPD patients numbering between 18-25 thousand. Bali argued that technological intervention could help address these challenges and revolutionize India’s healthcare landscape.
