Their model proposes a hierarchical structure for cancer care, with an apex center at the core acting as a policymaking entity, tier 2 cities as hubs for tertiary care, district headquarters as nodal centers and primary cancer centers in high-prevalence areas.
The initiative follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and aims to strengthen the city's primary healthcare network.
India’s healthcare system is at a tipping point. World-class hospitals co-exist with those that are reaching small towns. Flagship schemes like Ayushman Bharat is filling the affordability gap for the middle class and underserved populations. However, there are red flags. Experts have warned that India is veering toward a reactive “sick-care” model, hampered by chronic underinvestment in public health, a fee-for-service setup that incentivizes illness over wellness and prevention, rising land and tech costs, and weak regulations. Green shoots are emerging in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, where innovative, low-cost, high-volume models are taking roots. The message from well-known health experts is clear: India doesn’t just need more healthcare—it needs smarter, fairer, and more accountable healthcare. The clock is ticking.
In an exclusive conversation with ETHealthworld, Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director of Medanta Hospitals, outlines his vision for building a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven healthcare ecosystem in India. He stresses that reaching underserved and rural populations is a moral imperative, not just a strategic goal. Dr Trehan shares how healthcare must be guided by purpose, not just profit, he advocates for India to emerge as a global leader in healthcare innovation, leveraging its strengths in IT, talent, and generics.
Taking to social media post on X, the Prime Minister expressed commitment to building a healthier world on World Health Day and said that the Centre government will keep focusing on healthcare and invest in different aspects of people's well-being
World Health Day, observed annually on April 7, underscores the importance of global health and calls for collective action to address pressing health challenges. Started by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1950, it unites governments, institutions, and communities in addressing critical health priorities each year.
Briefing reporters here this evening, state Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said Nadda will launch the central scheme along with 'Ayushman Vayo-Vandana Yojana' and the state's Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) in presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in a special event at Cuttack.
These include providing healthcare services for intellectual disability, schizophrenia, schizotypal, delusional disorders and autism spectrum disorder among others to eligible beneficiaries.
During a media interaction on the sidelines of an event, the NATHEALTH top board stated, “Most corporate hospitals are an urban phenomenon where the cost structure is slightly different, and until the Ayushman Bharat scheme becomes viable for them, they will be unable to participate.”
According to Official Sources, "Delhi government is likely to sign MoU on Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) Scheme with National Health Authority comes under Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on April 05."
The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with certain Central Sector Components which has a total outlay of Rs 64,180 crores for the scheme period (2021-22 to 2025-26).
Get updates on your preferred social platform
Follow us for the latest news, insider access to events and more.
