This weekend, the India Health Summit – South edition in Hyderabad brought together some of the most inspiring names in the healthcare space. These people were not just experts in their fields but changemakers. With Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana, and Dr. Dilip P. Bhanushali, President of the Indian Medical Association, gracing the event, the energy in the room was palpable. It wasn’t just about celebrating achievements in healthcare, it was about pushing conversations that matter.

I had the privilege of speaking with two stalwarts whose contributions go far beyond the hospitals they have built: Dr. Guru N. Reddy, Founder & Chairman of Continental Hospitals, and Dr. A.V. Gurava Reddy, Managing Director at KIMS-Sunshine Hospitals. Both are powerhouses in their own right, Dr. Guru, with his decades of work in gastroenterology and Dr. Gurava, a globally trained orthopedic surgeon with a deep commitment to bringing affordable, quality healthcare to the masses.

Our conversation ranged from progress to pitfalls. Dr. Guru spoke with intensity about the ethics of medicine, a topic that doesn’t always make it to the big stage. Dr. Guru N. Reddy made a powerful point about cost and quality, something we don’t often talk about enough in healthcare. “Bringing down costs is doable,” he said with conviction. “But it starts at the design stage. You need to build with a clear mission in mind.” For him, that mission has always been about training human resources, not just hiring for degrees, but building teams that truly understand what quality healthcare delivery means for patients. He believes quality assurance, be it in infrastructure or HR, must go hand-in-hand with quality delivery, which only comes through continuous training. "At the end of the day, it’s not just about what we deliver, but how the patient experiences it."

Dr. Reddy also touched upon his journey with the Telangana government's Aarogya Shree program. Despite the hospital being tagged as a “5–7 star” facility, he shared he was the only one in the twin states to be part of the scheme, a clear sign that cost and quality can coexist. “The quicker we present clear clinical indications to the government, the faster we get approvals under Aarogya Shree. That saves time, money, and lives. It’s not just about digital adoption, it’s about using systems smartly to cut inefficiencies and bring down costs. If we can make what the government offers actually work, that gives me the biggest confidence that affordable care is possible,” adds Dr. Guru.

Dr. A.V. Gurava Reddy echoed this vision. He spoke about the importance of capitated contracts and instilling a culture of efficient diagnosis across his team.

One of the most impactful things Dr. Gurava shared is, "A healthcare facility should be big enough to serve, and small enough to listen.” For him, affordability is not a line item, it’s more of a mindset. “If an MRI machine costs ₹10 crore, that doesn’t mean you charge ₹10,000 for every scan. ROI thinking has no place in healthcare. Services and patient experience are not the same thing.” And perhaps that’s the reason the line that stayed with him the most is, "You have to feel it in your heart, not just calculate it in your brain.” He questioned the increasing trend of doctors and institutions chasing ROI over patient need. “Just because a hospital has the latest tech or machine doesn’t mean every patient needs it,” he said. He didn’t hold back when he pointed out how often unnecessary surgeries are performed.

Dr. Gurava echoed this concern, particularly around knee replacements, many of which, he feels, can be avoided. Coming from a man who’s performed thousands of them, that is indeed a powerful admission. What stood out about both these doctors was not just their openness, but their conscience.

And yet they are optimists. Dr. Guru reminded us that even in this era of AI, digital health, and robotics, it is still the doctor who remains at the heart of healing. “Technology is an aid, not a replacement,” he said. “India is home to some of the best doctors in the world, second only to the U.S. Our physicians enjoy a stellar global reputation. But what’s holding us back is the state of our healthcare system, especially when it comes to access.”

Still, Dr. Reddy is hopeful. “We have got a strong talent pool, whether they are practicing here or abroad. Indian doctors are quick to adapt, constantly upgrading their skills and open to new technology. That’s what gives us an edge, especially in delivering advanced, minimally invasive gastro care.”

Then came a moment of unexpected humour—one that had the entire hall in splits. When asked about the challenges of expanding healthcare to tier 2 and 3 cities, Dr. Gurava quipped, “The biggest roadblock is... the wife.” He went on to explain how most doctors hesitate to move to smaller towns because their families worry about the lack of good schools, a social life, or opportunities. It was funny, yes—but also real. Infrastructure doesn’t just mean hospitals; it means building communities where healthcare workers and their families can thrive.

Both these doctors are proof that healthcare isn’t just about systems. It’s about heart, leadership, and the willingness to speak up—even when it’s uncomfortable. Whether it’s Dr. Gurava’s mission to deliver cost-sensitive care without compromising on quality, or Dr. Guru’s unwavering stand on ethical treatment, these are the voices we need more of.

I cannot not mention the other two voices on the panel—Yedavalli Subramanyam, CEO, Apollo Hospitals (International & AP), and P. Hari Krishna, Executive Director, Medicover Hospitals. Both have worked closely with some of the country’s finest doctors and brought valuable perspective to the conversation. They spoke about the leaps we have made in healthcare—but also the pressing need to bridge the gap between affordability and accessibility, and how their teams are actively working to make that happen.

It was a privilege to listen. And even more so, to share the stage with them.

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