IHH Healthcare hosts flagship innovation and quality events, aiming for top 3 spot in India

New Delhi: IHH Healthcare hosted its annual flagship events, the IHH Healthcare Quality Summit and IHH Igniting Innovation in Healthcare Conference in Mumbai for the first time. The events were held from September 26 to 28 to address pressing global healthcare challenges, including access, quality, and cost.

The events underscored the company’s ambition to become one of the top three healthcare providers in the country. IHH, through its subsidiaries Fortis Healthcare and Gleneagles Healthcare India, is planning to add 2,000 beds across its 35 hospitals in India by 2028. This expansion, supported by advanced technology and value-accretive acquisitions, aims to meet the growing demand for quality healthcare services in India’s rapidly evolving market.

According to IHH’s Group CEO, Dr. Prem Kumar Nair, “The 2024 Innovation Conference and Quality Summit are our platforms for fostering cross-border collaboration to deliver high-quality healthcare to all communities we serve. With India’s healthcare market poised for significant growth, IHH is well-positioned to seize these opportunities and become one of the top three healthcare providers in the country. Our passion to deliver world-class care and outcomes is powered by technological innovation, operational excellence, and patient-centred care.”

The 9th IHH Healthcare Quality Summit, themed “Redefining Healthcare for a New World,” brought together around 500 participants from across IHH’s global network. The two-day event featured discussions across five key areas: Clinical, Operations & Service, Sustainability, Innovation, and Clinical Laboratories. 

Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO of Fortis Healthcare, emphasized, “By bringing together global expertise and fostering innovation, we are not only redefining patient care but also setting new benchmarks for clinical excellence. Our focus is to ensure that every patient receives world-class treatment driven by cutting-edge technology and compassionate care.”

Anurag Yadav, CEO of Gleneagles Healthcare India, added, “By leveraging our collective experience and embracing cutting-edge technologies, we are poised to transform healthcare delivery, ensuring better access, improved outcomes, and more cost-effective solutions for patients across diverse communities.”

The keynote address was delivered by Nandan Nilekani, Non-Executive Chairman of Infosys, who spoke on India’s digital transformation and its impact on healthcare globally. His speech reinforced the importance of digital advancements in revolutionizing healthcare systems and delivering better care.

Other eminent speakers and panelists included Dr Narottam Puri, Advisor Medical Operations of Fortis Medical Council; Air Marshal Dr Pawan Kapoor, former Director General of Medical Services, Indian Air Force; Dr Girdhar Gyani, Director General of the Association of Healthcare Providers in India; Dr K Balasubramaniam, Principal Investigator and Director of Nonferrous Materials Technology Development Centre; Dr M S Annadurai, Former Director of Indian Space Research Organisation; and Nachiket Mor, Visiting Scientist, The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health, among others.

In addition to the Quality Summit, IHH also held the 2nd IHH Igniting Innovation in Healthcare Conference, co-hosted by Fortis Healthcare. The event brought together thought leaders, hospitals, payors, technology companies, startups, and investors to explore the role of innovation in addressing healthcare challenges both in India and globally. 

A live pitch session “Sustainable Growth: Riding Through the Good and the Bad” saw startups present groundbreaking solutions to investors, emphasizing the importance of innovation in shaping the future of healthcare. Discussions also explored  “How Innovation Will Close the Gap: Access, Quality, and Cost” with a particular focus on preventive care and home care, areas that are expected to transform the healthcare landscape in the coming years.

The conference further spotlighted the importance of telemedicine, tele-testing, and other technologies in improving healthcare access and outcomes, with panelists optimistic about the future of standardized protocols and cost-effective procedures supported by augmented reality. Panelists also called for enhanced public-private partnerships to advance mass screening and preventive care initiatives in India.

Ashok Pandit, Group Chief Corporate Officer of IHH Healthcare, expressed, “The open exchange of ideas marks a transformative movement toward improving healthcare systems and raising quality standards. Our commitment to enhancing patient outcomes and expanding healthcare access – not just in India but globally – is what sets us apart as a leading global healthcare provider.”