New Delhi, April 8 Clinicians, policymakers, hospital leaders, innovators, and patient advocates participated in CareCon 2026, a pioneering national initiative aimed at promoting a more patient-centric healthcare system in India.
Organized by Pacific OneHealth, a growing chain of micro hospitals, the day-long conference held here sought to address concerns that while India has made progress in advanced medical treatment, the human aspects of care – dignity, empathy, and patient voice – are often overlooked.
The event, held on Tuesday, brought together diverse stakeholders to discuss reorienting healthcare delivery to place patients at the center, shifting the focus from institution-led models to patient-driven care.
Speaking at the conference, Pacific OneHealth founder and executive director Saket Bansal said that India does not lack medical expertise or innovation, but needs stronger systemic recognition of patient experience in care delivery.
"CareCon 2026 is not about celebrating the status quo. It is a call to action. We need to redesign healthcare delivery from the patient inward, not the institution outward," he said.
Dr Swadeep Srivastava, co-founder and president of Pacific OneHealth, who is also the organizing chairperson of the conference, said that healthcare transformation requires alignment across stakeholders, including clinicians, diagnostics, insurers, policymakers, and communities.
"Our goal is to shift the narrative from episodic, reactive treatment to proactive, personalized, and compassionate care," he said.
A key highlight of the event was the "Care As It Should Be Excellence Awards 2026," recognizing clinicians, nurses, administrators, and institutions for prioritizing compassion and patient dignity.
The conference also featured a segment honoring excellence in health journalism, acknowledging media professionals who have contributed to responsible and in-depth reporting in the healthcare sector amid concerns of misinformation and sensationalism.
The OneHealth Medical Bulletin was also being launched on the sidelines of the event to bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and public awareness.
Sessions during the conference focused on preventive health and early intervention, precision ageing and women's health, artificial intelligence in clinical pathways, micro-hospital models, and the future of distributed care.
