On Independence Day, Apollo's Sangita Reddy gives a clarion call: India's healthcare system must be preventive, predictive and participatory

As India approaches its 100th year of independence, we are witnessing a wave of healthcare transformation—one that redefines how a nation protects and powers its people. We see national health not just as policy, but as our purpose. By fusing intelligent data, frontier technologies, and world-class clinical talent, we are building a preventive, predictive, and participatory health system—designed to serve a billion Indians and inspire global benchmarks in care.

At the intersection of artificial intelligence, genomics, and digital infrastructure, a new paradigm is emerging—one that doesn’t just treat illness but anticipates it, prevents it, and empowers individuals to thrive. This is not incremental change. This is exponential transformation. And India, with its scale, talent, and digital-first policy environment, is uniquely positioned to lead it.

From Fragmented to Frictionless

India’s healthcare system has long been a paradox: world-class hospitals and exceptional clinical talent on one end, underserved rural clinics on the other. But just like India leapfrogged landlines with mobile phones, it is now poised to bypass legacy healthcare models through digitally native innovation.

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is laying the foundation for a national health stack—complete with digital health IDs, interoperable records, and AI-powered diagnostics. This is not just infrastructure—it is a platform for exponential health and improved outcomes.

The Biology-AI Convergence: The Next Frontier

The convergence of biology and intelligence marks a revolutionary shift—one where the future of medicine is being purposefully designed.

· Genomics is decoding population-specific disease risks, enabling hyper-personalized prevention. Globally, over 100 million human genomes are expected to be sequenced by 2030. This data is turning preventive care from a one-size-fits-all model to one powered by hyper-personalized medicine. India’s population-scale genome sequencing projects are mapping unique genetic markers across ethnic groups. Imagine getting a disease risk profile before symptoms ever surface—and taking action decades in advance.

· AI engines are synthesizing real-time data from wearables, nutrition trackers, mental health apps, and environmental sensors to generate dynamic wellness scores, lifestyle nudges and actionable insights. Companies are integrating data from smartwatches, fitness apps, and even air quality sensors to create real-time health dashboards. Our ProHealth, powered by advanced AI diagnostics and deep predictive insights, is redefining healthcare by moving from reactive treatments to proactive prevention, establishing prevention as the new standard of care.

· Robotic surgeries, guided by AI-enhanced imaging, are enabling remote procedures—bringing precision care to the last mile. Robotic surgeries in India have seen a 400% growth in just five years.

This is not just about improving outcomes. It is about redefining the human healthspan—how long and how well we live.

A Market of a Billion, a Model for the World

India’s healthcare transformation is not just a public good—it is a USD 5 Trillion opportunity in the making. With 1.4 billion people, a rising middle class, and a digital-native population, India is becoming the world’s most scalable healthtech sandbox. From AI diagnostics to genomics startups, the country is attracting capital, talent, and global attention. The next wave of healthtech unicorns won’t just serve India—they will export solutions to the world.

The Power of Collective Innovation

This transformation demands more than technology. It requires a coalition of ambition:

• Government must continue to build open, interoperable platforms and invest in digital public goods.

• Entrepreneurs and startups must push the boundaries of what’s possible—designing for scale, affordability, and inclusivity.

• Corporates must embed health into their ESG strategies, workforce models, and community investments.

• Academia and public institutions must lead in research, ethics, and talent development.

Innovation doesn’t happen in silos. It happens in ecosystems. And India’s healthtech ecosystem is on the cusp of extraordinary advancements.

New mantras of healthcare are emerging

1. Heal in India is where the future of global healthcare is being built—high-acuity surgeries, precision diagnostics, and compassionate care, delivered at 1/10th the cost. India is a launchpad for next-generation medical value travel.

2. Heal from India is healthcare without borders—AI-driven teleconsults, remote ICU monitoring, and digital therapeutics streaming from India to the world. We are not just exporting doctors; we are exporting entire care ecosystems.

3. Heal by India is how we solve the global healthcare talent crunch—world-class professionals trained and skilled in India are powering hospitals, innovating care delivery, and scaling solutions that serve humanity at scale. It is not a pipeline—it is a global force.

By 2047, India has the opportunity to become the global benchmark for equitable, tech-enabled, personalized care. A nation where no one is left behind—not because we built more hospitals, but because we built smarter systems.

This is our moonshot moment. If we get it right, we won’t just transform India’s future – we will help shape the future of global health.

Views are personal. Author is Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals