Health Minister Emphasizes Equitable and Accessible Care
Addressing the FICCI HEAL 2025 conference themed “Care @25 – Defining Moments in Healthcare”, Mr. J. P. Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, underscored the importance of building a healthy and developed India by 2047. He called for collective efforts from all stakeholders to ensure healthcare that is equitable, accessible, and affordable for every citizen.
Ayushman Bharat: Expanding the World’s Largest Health Coverage
Highlighting the success of Ayushman Bharat, Mr. Nadda noted that the program now covers around 62 crore citizens—over 40% of India’s population—providing each family with ₹5 lakh health coverage. Every citizen above 70 years is entitled to lifetime coverage under the scheme. He further announced plans to expand Jan Aushadhi Kendras from 16,000 to 25,000 outlets, ensuring affordable access to essential medicines. “Due to Ayushman Bharat, out-of-pocket health expenditure has declined from 62.6% to 39.4% in recent years,” he stated.
Medical Education and Infrastructure Growth
Mr. Nadda highlighted the remarkable progress in medical education and infrastructure, noting that the number of medical colleges has increased from 387 to 810. Undergraduate seats have more than doubled from 51,000 to 1.25 lakh, while postgraduate seats have reached 76,000. “In the next five years, 75,000 additional UG seats will be added. However, it is crucial that quality is not compromised while increasing quantity,” he emphasized. He also projected the need for 20 lakh additional hospital beds to meet future healthcare demands and align with the Viksit Bharat vision.
Digital Health Revolution and Public Spending
The Minister highlighted the digital transformation in healthcare through initiatives like eSanjeevani, which is expanding access to telemedicine across the country. Referring to the National Health Policy 2017, he reiterated the government’s goal of allocating 2.5% of GDP to healthcare. “Currently, we are spending 1.8%, and states must also enhance their contributions. Funds are adequate, but effective implementation at the state level is essential,” he stressed. He also mentioned that a committee is working on the issue of deregulation of hospital beds, calling it a crucial reform.
NITI Aayog Outlines Vision for Health and Longevity
Prof. V. K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, emphasized that achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047 entails becoming a $30 trillion economy while improving life expectancy from 71 to 85 years and healthy life expectancy from 60 to 70–75 years. “These are the standards of developed nations, and we must aim for not just longer but healthier lives,” he remarked. He also urged the healthcare sector to strengthen family medicine and promote home care models, encouraging private hospitals to adopt these disciplines for holistic care.
Industry Leaders Highlight Affordability, Innovation, and Workforce Growth
Mr. Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, President, FICCI, commended the government’s recent GST reforms that reduced rates on medicines and medical devices from 12–18% to 5%, making healthcare more affordable. “The next 25 years must integrate accessibility, quality, innovation, and sustainability so that no one is left behind,” he said.
Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and Founder-Chairman of Mahajan Imaging & Labs, noted that India is driving innovation through advanced medical technologies, digital health, and artificial intelligence to achieve preventive, promotive, and personalized care.
Mr. Varun Khanna, Co-Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and Group MD, Quality Care India Ltd, emphasized the importance of talent in the healthcare sector. “India is expected to add one million doctors in the next seven years, making us the largest health workforce in Asia,” he observed.
Knowledge Papers Released at the Event
Three key knowledge papers were released during the event:
- FICCI–EY Report: True Accountable Care – Maximizing Healthcare Delivery Impact, Efficiently
- FICCI–Chase Advisors Paper: Unlocking the Longevity Dividend – Active and Healthy Ageing in India
- FICCI–KPMG Paper: AI in Healthcare – Reimagine Care with AI-driven Transformation
The conference served as a pivotal platform for defining India’s healthcare journey over the next two decades—anchored on innovation, inclusion, and sustainability to achieve the vision of a Healthy Viksit Bharat by 2047.