'Preventive care is the new normal'

AI remains at the forefront with new developments in predictive analytics in cardiology, oncology and more

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Apollo Hospitals is undertaking a major expansion across India, with plans to add over 4,300 beds and invest ₹8,000 crore over the next few years. The expansion includes new hospitals in Gurugram, Pune, Kolkata, and Hyderabad by FY26. The hospital chain will also invest more in AI tools to ease the workload for its doctors and nurses by automating routine tasks, such as medical documentation.

In this interview, Sangita Reddy, joint managing director, Apollo Hospitals, speaks to Sudhir Chowdhary about the key trends in the healthcare industry and the hospital's plans. Excerpts:

How is technology shaping up the healthcare scenario?

India's healthcare sector is rapidly changing with a digital metamorphosis that is being driven by increasing investments in IT infrastructure. Electronic medical records (EMRs) are expanding beyond urban centres into Tier II and III cities, enabling real-time data sharing among providers. Telemedicine platforms have seen exponential growth, helping to bridge the urban-rural divides with remote specialist consultations through apps like Apollo 24/7.