Doctors from India and the United States gathered in Hyderabad on Saturday for a significant medical summit. They delivered a strong message about the future of healthcare. The experts stressed an urgent need to change how health systems operate. They want to move away from just treating diseases after they appear. Instead, they advocate for a prevention-first model that stops illnesses before they start.
Current System Drives High Costs, Poor Outcomes
The medical professionals issued a clear warning. They said the existing focus on managing advanced illnesses is problematic. This approach makes healthcare more expensive. It also leads to poor health results that people could avoid with better early care. The doctors met at the Indo-US Doctors Meet, hosted by Continental Hospitals in the city.
AMA President Highlights Funding Imbalance
Dr. Bobby Mukkamala addressed the audience directly. He serves as the president of the American Medical Association (AMA). Dr. Mukkamala explained where most healthcare money goes today. "The majority of investments target treating advanced conditions," he stated. He listed heart attacks, strokes, and cancer as examples. In sharp contrast, he noted that preventive care, lifestyle medicine, and primary healthcare receive far less funding.
He pointed to specific gaps weakening public health. "We lack enough emphasis on nutrition, early screening, regular exercise, and easy access to primary care," Dr. Mukkamala said. He argued that a prevention-first approach offers major benefits. It can reduce the disease burden significantly. It improves long-term health outcomes for populations. It also promotes greater equity in who gets to stay healthy.
Dr. Mukkamala also highlighted a troubling indicator. He cited persistently high maternal mortality rates. He called this a sign of systemic failure. This problem persists even with modern medical technology and good infrastructure. During the event, members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) honored Dr. Mukkamala. In 2025, he made history by becoming the first person of Indian origin to lead the 180-year-old American Medical Association.
Indian Medical Association's Grassroots Initiative
Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, the national president of the IMA, shared his organization's work. He revealed that the IMA has adopted 2,000 villages across India. The goal is straightforward: to strengthen primary healthcare services right at the grassroots level. This initiative aims to bring basic medical care closer to people in rural areas.
Future Vision: Technology and Longevity
Dr. Sangita Reddy also spoke about the road ahead. She is the joint managing director of Apollo Hospitals. Dr. Reddy expressed an optimistic vision. She said it is possible to "dare to dream" of providing healthcare to every corner of the world. She emphasised care focused on helping people live longer, healthier lives.
Dr. Reddy called for collective action. She urged the medical community to leverage new tools. Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies can play a big role, she suggested. These innovations could help make quality care more accessible and effective.
Addressing Visual Impairment in India
Dr. G. N. Rao brought attention to a critical issue. He is the founder and chairman of the L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI). Dr. Rao stated that global blindness remains a major public health concern. He provided sobering statistics about India's share of this problem.
"India accounts for almost one-fifth of the world's blind population," Dr. Rao noted. He said approximately 8 million people in the country are classified as blind. Another 40% suffer from severe visual impairment. On a positive note, he added that India performs the highest number of corneal transplants in the world. This shows capacity for high-level eye care.
Call for Collaboration and Patient-Centred Care
Dr. Guru N. Reddy, founder of Continental Hospitals, spoke about how doctors work together. He emphasised the need for greater collaboration among medical professionals. He also argued for a stronger focus on patient-centred care. Dr. Reddy predicted that rigid boundaries between surgical specialties will likely fade. He expects integrated care models to evolve, blending different areas of expertise for the patient's benefit.
A Unified Call for Policy Reform
The doctors at the summit united around a common agenda. They collectively called for important policy reforms. Their recommendations focus on three key areas. First, governments must prioritise prevention in health planning. Second, they need to strengthen primary care systems substantially. Third, they should build healthcare systems that truly centre on the patient.
The experts believe these changes are essential. They are needed to address India's growing health challenges effectively. The Hyderabad meeting served as a platform for this crucial dialogue between Indian and American medical leaders.
