Affordable, patient-centric healthcare need of hour, say experts at IIM-Bodh Gaya summit

Patna: Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bodh Gaya, on Sunday held Convergence 2.0, its flagship healthcare leadership summit, to explore how technology can deliver affordable, patient-centric healthcare in India.Themed “Re-imagining healthcare ecosystem with technological advancements”, the event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, clinicians and innovators to discuss MedTech, digital health, pharmaceuticals and provider-payer synergies.Opening the summit, IIM Bodh Gaya director Vinita S Sahay said, “India cannot afford healthcare the way the West does. What we need is a nation that is well, healthy, and strong in body and spirit.”

Swapnarag Swain, chairperson of the MBA in hospital and healthcare management, said the aim was to build sustained academic-industry exchange.The first panel on MedTech innovation examined indigenous manufacturing, regulatory frameworks and the role of AI, IoT and robotics. A session on digital transformation discussed interoperable health records, predictive modelling, telemedicine and wearables, stressing the need for a digitally skilled workforce.

Pharmaceutical and life-sciences experts debated resilient supply chains, affordability, clinical trials and advances in immunotherapy and personalised medicine. The final session on provider-payer synergies focused on value-based care, integrated insurance, financial innovation and long-term partnerships.Speakers agreed that AI-driven diagnostics, connected devices, data intelligence and telemedicine could improve interoperability, strengthen supply chains and widen access to care.