New Delhi: October 28, 2026
Ensuring patient safety, improving the quality of medical treatment and making healthcare services more accessible emerged as key priorities at the FICCI HEAL 2026 conference. Experts emphasised the need to establish minimum standards for patient safety and treatment quality across hospitals in India, while strengthening digital healthcare infrastructure to improve access to essential medical services.
Speaking at the conference, NITI Aayog member Prof. Dr. M. Srinivas highlighted the importance of placing patients at the centre of the healthcare system. He stressed that hospitals should focus not only on treating illnesses but also on preventing diseases, identifying health conditions at an early stage and ensuring timely medical intervention.
Digital Health Mission to Transform Healthcare Delivery
Dr. M. Srinivas noted that the digital healthcare ecosystem being developed under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has the potential to improve the delivery of healthcare services across the country. The effective use of health data and artificial intelligence could support better healthcare planning, strengthen service delivery and improve India’s ability to provide quality healthcare.
Digital health solutions can also facilitate access to medical services in underserved areas and help reduce disparities in healthcare access. Expanding these services, alongside strengthening existing healthcare infrastructure, will be important to building a more inclusive and efficient healthcare system.
Focus on Affordable Treatment and Disease Prevention
The discussions also highlighted the importance of providing timely treatment without placing an unnecessary financial burden on patients. Experts called for a stronger focus on preventive healthcare, early diagnosis and the management of non-communicable diseases.
A healthcare system that prioritises prevention and early intervention can help reduce avoidable complications and improve patient outcomes. Maintaining consistent quality and safety standards across hospitals is equally important to ensuring reliable and patient-friendly healthcare services.
Five Reports Released on Key Healthcare Issues
The conference also featured the release of five reports covering important areas related to India’s healthcare ecosystem. The subjects included healthcare services, air pollution, digital skills and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
These areas reflect the broader challenges facing the healthcare sector, ranging from environmental factors affecting public health to the need for a digitally skilled workforce and stronger primary healthcare services.
Strengthening Healthcare for Viksit Bharat 2047
Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Chairman of the FICCI Health Services Committee, highlighted the importance of improving access to affordable treatment and reliable healthcare facilities in line with India’s long-term development goals.
Achieving these objectives will require sustained investment, a skilled healthcare workforce and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors. Expanding quality healthcare services while ensuring patient safety and affordability will remain essential to building a robust healthcare system.
The discussions at FICCI HEAL 2026 underscored the need for a comprehensive approach that combines patient safety, digital innovation, preventive healthcare and affordable treatment to improve health outcomes across India.SEO Headline
