The Healthcare Changemakers Conclave-2023 was recently held to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions of healthcare professionals and organizations in India. The event introduced the unique Doctor Couple Changemakers Awards as a first-of-its-kind initiative, acknowledging the dedication and sacrifices of doctor couples working together to improve the country’s healthcare landscape.
Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS, External Affairs and Culture of India, attended as Chief Guest and praised the event for 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, underlined the importance of continuous 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, advocated for a shift 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.
Focusing on the role of Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) in healthcare, Dr. Jitendra Sharma, Founder & CEO of Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), emphasized the importance of ESG goals in reducing capital costs and promoting better practices.
Commander Navneet Bali, Regional Director – North of Narayana Health, drew attention to the issue of healthcare accessibility in India. He stated that despite the existence of Ayushman Bharat, approximately 800 million 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.
Dr. Swadeep Srivastava, Founder of HEAL Foundation & Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Healthcare Changemakers Conclave, spoke about the significance 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.
