It’s 2019, and you’ve just stepped out of a time machine into 2025, heading straight to a hospital. The first thing you notice? Things aren’t quite the same. For starters, a handful of people still wear masks in hospitals (turns out, that habit stuck with some of us). Doctors increasingly consult patients over video calls instead of always pulling out their stethoscopes. And mental health? It’s finally coming out of the shadows—slowly, but surely. India’s healthcare system didn’t just survive the pandemic; it evolved. Some changes are subtle, others groundbreaking, but all of them are paving the way for a healthier nation. Let’s have a look into them.
Digital First, Always
Telemedicine was always a “someday” idea. COVID made it a right now necessity. Platforms like Practo, MediBuddy, and Tata 1mg have made it ridiculously easy to consult a doctor from the comfort of your couch. eSanjeevani, is the National Telemedicine Service of India, leading the way to Universal Health Coverage and digital health equity. This free-of-cost consultation by doctors and medical specialists through your smartphone means quick access to quality healthcare directly at your fingertips. But the best part is that it’s not just about making things easy. It’s bridging the gap between urban specialists and rural patients. Got a weird rash in a remote village? Snap a pic, upload it, and get expert advice—all without leaving home.
But it’s not just consultations—your health data lives in the cloud now. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in September 2021 as a transformative initiative by the Government of India to establish a robust digital healthcare infrastructure. The ABHA number is a 14-digit unique identifier that is central to this mission, integrating the individual into the digital health ecosystem. ABDM also introduces the ABHA Address- a self-declared username to enable individuals to access and share their health records digitally, with prior consent for doing so. This move aims to streamline healthcare delivery while empowering citizens with better control over their medical information.
Do you want to create your ABHA number – follow this link.
Health for Every Wallet
The pandemic highlighted the need for affordable healthcare. Enter Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY expanded health insurance schemes, which are now covering more treatments and reaching more people. PM-JAY is the largest government-funded health insurance scheme in the world, providing complete coverage. It provides ₹5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization at public and private empanelled hospitals across India. The government recently updated this plan and added another ₹5 lakh in coverage specifically for citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their economic status.
Private insurance players, supported by increasing consumer awareness post pandemic, are innovating themselves to offer affordable healthcare. They are using insur-tech platforms to offer low-cost insurance plans, thereby allowing private healthcare to reach a larger section of India’s increasingly growing middle class.
Mental Health Gets a Seat at the Table
Pre-COVID: “Feeling stressed? Just meditate, yaar.”
Post-COVID: “Have you tried Tele-MANAS or reached out to a mental health helpline?”
The pandemic didn’t just bring a health crisis; it brought an emotional avalanche. Anxiety, depression, and burnout weren’t just buzzwords anymore. In response, the government launched initiatives like Tele-MANAS, making mental health support as accessible as ordering a pizza. There are more platforms both online and offline easily available these days. Finally, India started taking mental health seriously.
Home is the New Hospital
Home testing, home healthcare, home everything. Post-COVID, getting your vitals checked at home became as common as ordering groceries online. Senior citizens, in particular, benefited from this shift, with tailored health insurance plans covering home-based services. You can contact your nearby lab testing center to see the availability. Additionally, medicines are also being delivered to your home. Show them your prescription, and medicines are available within the click of you mobile – Apollo , Flipkart health , netmeds and many more.
Made in India, for India (and Beyond)
India has cemented its position as the “pharmacy of the world,” but it’s no longer just about medicines. The country is now a hub for affordable medical equipment, from ventilators to PPE kits. Local manufacturing has scaled up dramatically, making healthcare not just accessible but also self-reliant. In 2021, India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for pharmaceuticals aimed to boost domestic production and reduce import dependency. Grouped into A, B, and C categories, manufacturers received tailored incentives. This initiative is solidifying India’s position as a global pharmaceutical hub with advanced manufacturing and innovation.
Medical Tourism in India: A Flourishing Industry
India has emerged as a global hub for medical tourism for its affordability and effectiveness. . In 2022, the Government of India launched the Heal in India campaign to promote medical value travel, and further strengthened the initiative by introducing a single-window information website to help patients navigate their medical journey securely. With over 1,600 NABH-accredited hospitals and an approved list of more than 165 countries for e-medical visas, the Indian government has also introduced the Ayush visa in 2021 for individuals seeking specialized traditional medical treatments.
What’s Next?
As you step out of the hospital, you can’t help but notice how different—and better—things feel. But there’s still a lot of work to do. Healthcare costs remain a burden for many, with the economic divide creating stark disparities in access to quality care. The workforce, though growing, remains stretched, especially in rural areas where shortages of medical professionals persist. Public sector infrastructure, while essential, is often underfunded and overwhelmed. Yet, the strides India has made since the pandemic give hope.
India’s healthcare system isn’t just surviving anymore—it’s thriving, evolving, and adapting to a future where health isn’t just about curing illness but creating wellness. The future of healthcare might just be brighter than anyone imagined.