The Healthcare Changemakers Conclave-2023 recently took place to honor and celebrate the crucial contributions of healthcare professionals and organizations in India. The event introduced the unique Doctor Couple Changemakers Awards as a first-of-its-kind initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifices of doctor couples working together to improve the country’s healthcare landscape.
Chief Guest Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS, External Affairs and Culture of India, lauded the event for bringing together changemakers and showing appreciation for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility through initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the expansion of AIIMS and viral testing labs throughout India.
Guest of Honour Shri C K Mishra, former Secretary for Health Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to improve healthcare accessibility, affordability, quality, and equity. He believes that celebrating the work of changemakers is essential for inspiring 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 highlighted the construction of new green hospitals powered by solar energy as an example of sustainable development in action.
Discussing the importance of Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) in healthcare, Dr. Jitendra Sharma, Founder & CEO of Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), emphasized the role of ESG goals in lowering capital costs and promoting better practices.
Commander Navneet Bali, Regional Director – North of Narayana Health, brought attention to the issue of healthcare accessibility in India. He pointed out that despite the existence of Ayushman Bharat, around 800 million Indians still lack health coverage, resulting in 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.
Dr. Swadeep Srivastava, Founder of HEAL Foundation & Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Healthcare Changemakers Conclave, spoke about the importance of recognizing the sacrifices of doctor couples and other healthcare changemakers. The awards aim to honor those who have worked tirelessly to make India’s healthcare system more accessible, affordable, and robust.
