NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Apollo Hospitals, a pioneer in the Indian healthcare industry, has just opened its 66th hospital. In an exclusive chat with International Business Times, Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman – Apollo Hospitals Groups, discusses healthcare needs in India, medical tourism and more.

International Business Times: What are some of the key areas those involved in healthcare in India need to focus on in the next decade?

India is the second most populous nation in the world with an estimated 1.26 billion people in the southern Asian region. The healthcare system in the country is facing challenges for several reasons including rapid urbanization, growing population, increase in the rates of emerging and re-emerging infections and non-communicable diseases.

Increased longevity has increased the rates of chronic diseases among an ageing population, along with demographic changes. Similarly emerging infections such as Influenza, Dengue and Chikungunya place a stress on the frail public health infrastructure. Workforce migration especially nurses, gaps in the healthcare workforce and decreasing investment in education have all added to the pressure in the public health system.