The Healthcare Changemakers Conclave-2023 united healthcare professionals and organizations to honor their significant contributions to India’s healthcare sector. The innovative Doctor Couple Changemakers Awards recognized the commitment and sacrifices of doctor couples working together to enhance the country’s healthcare landscape.
Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS, External Affairs and Culture of India, attended as Chief Guest and praised the event for its role in 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 India.
Guest of Honour Shri C K Mishra, former Secretary for Health Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, highlighted the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility, affordability, quality, and equity. He believes that celebrating the work of changemakers is vital 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, emphasized 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.
