As India moves into 2026, the healthcare sector stands at a critical inflection point defined less by rapid expansion and more by the consolidation of gains achieved over the past decade. According to Dr.
Vivek Desai, Founder & Managing Director, HOSMAC, significant investments in healthcare infrastructure, particularly within the public sector, have created a strong base. “The focus now is on strengthening, optimising, and extending this foundation to regions that have historically remained underserved,” he explains.
Decentralisation Takes Centre Stage
One of the most significant shifts shaping healthcare planning is the decentralisation of hospital infrastructure. Government incentives, supportive policy frameworks, and the expanding reach of Ayushman Bharat are collectively driving hospital development beyond metropolitan centres into Tier II and Tier III cities.
“Ayushman Bharat has fundamentally altered healthcare demand patterns,” notes Dr Desai. By extending financial coverage to a large segment of the population, the scheme has shifted demand towards semi-urban and rural regions, giving healthcare providers the confidence to invest in locations previously seen as commercially unviable.
As a result, smaller towns are witnessing increased activity across hospital construction, diagnostics, and allied healthcare services. This decentralised growth is easing pressure on urban hospitals while bringing quality care closer to local communities.
Human Capital: The Other Half of the Equation
Infrastructure alone cannot sustain healthcare growth without adequate human resources. Over recent years, India has expanded the number of medical colleges and nursing institutions, significantly increasing the pipeline of trained professionals.
“By 2026, the impact of this capacity-building will become more visible,” says Dr Desai, “creating a larger and more distributed talent pool capable of supporting emerging hospitals and new care models across regions.”
However, he cautions that geographical imbalance remains a persistent challenge.
Addressing Regional Imbalances
Despite improvements in overall capacity, healthcare infrastructure and skilled talent remain heavily concentrated in urban centres. “Bridging this gap will require coordinated action between industry and policymakers,” explains Dr Desai.
He emphasises the need for targeted incentives, structured rural career pathways, and long-term ecosystem planning to ensure that talent and infrastructure are not only created but also effectively deployed and retained in Tier II and Tier III markets.
Technology as a Force Multiplier
Technology is set to play a defining role in healthcare delivery over the coming years. Artificial intelligence, in particular, holds transformative potential for a country as vast and diverse as India.
“Many of India’s most persistent healthcare challenges exist in rural and semi-urban regions, where access to specialists and advanced diagnostics is limited,” says Dr. Vivek Desai. AI-enabled tools ranging from clinical decision support systems to remote diagnostics and predictive analytics can help bridge these gaps at scale.
India’s strengths as a global software hub, combined with growing capabilities in supercomputing and semiconductor manufacturing, are expected to accelerate innovation across medical technology and digital health ecosystems.
Bridging the Training Gap
However, Dr Desai points out that technology-led healthcare is only as effective as the workforce using it. Training gaps particularly among allied and paramedical staff—can limit the impact of new infrastructure and digital tools.
“This presents a clear opportunity,” he notes, “to strengthen paramedical education through focused upskilling, modular learning, and industry-aligned training models.” Such efforts are essential to ensure healthcare teams are prepared to deliver quality care at scale.
Clinical Planning for Changing Demographics
From a clinical planning standpoint, hospital design in 2026 must respond to evolving disease patterns and demographic realities. Oncology continues to emerge as a priority area, with more hospitals investing in comprehensive cancer care facilities.
“At the same time, the demand for palliative care services is growing,” says Dr Desai, highlighting the need for patient-centric environments that prioritise dignity, comfort, and holistic care.
Geriatric care is another critical focus area. As life expectancy rises, hospitals must adapt to serve an ageing population by integrating rehabilitation, long-term care, and chronic disease management into their planning frameworks. These requirements will shape not just clinical strategy, but also spatial design, workflows, and caregiver support systems.
The Road Ahead
Overall, Dr Desai believes that 2026 will not be marked by dramatic disruption, but by thoughtful evolution. “The emphasis will be on smarter planning, equitable distribution of resources, and integrating technology with human-centric design,” he says.
Hospitals of the future must be flexible, scalable, and deeply responsive to the socio-economic realities of the regions they serve. In doing so, India’s healthcare system can move closer to delivering accessible, sustainable, and high-quality care for all.
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176761002564163277.webp)
