At the 2024 InnoHEALTH Conference, innovation met inspiration as Dr. Amit Raj, a passionate healthcare leader and digital health advocate, shared his journey, insights, and vision for transforming India’s healthcare landscape. In an engaging conversation on the InnoHEALTH Magazine podcast, he opened up about the lessons learned from his mentor, the reality of healthcare gaps, and the role of passion and collaboration in driving meaningful change.
Mentorship, Mission, and the Power of Belief
He began by paying tribute to his mentor Dr. V.K. Singh who recognized his potential early on. It was at a CII conference in Delhi where he was first encouraged to speak publicly about his work—an invitation that changed the course of his career.
“He said, ‘I want you here, Amit.’ There were no questions after that,” he recalled. “His aura was commanding. His belief in me changed everything.”
This mentorship instilled in him a foundational belief: follow your instincts, chase your dreams, and never look back if your heart is in the right place.
Innovation Starts on the Ground
At the core of his philosophy is a bottom-up approach to innovation—learning directly from frontline healthcare workers. “The real gaps are seen by those on the ground—doctors, paramedics, support staff,” he emphasized. Innovation, according to him, is about listening to the unsung heroes of the system, not just developing high-tech tools.
He shared a simple yet powerful example: a hospital receptionist who deals with a wide range of patient queries every day. “She’ll tell you exactly what she needs to do her job better. That’s where innovation begins.”
Borrowing Wisdom from Other Industries
He also advocated for looking beyond healthcare for solutions. Drawing inspiration from a session with Professor Venkat of IIM, he realized that sectors like banking and telecommunications often develop technologies that can be adapted to health services.
“Industry-driven solutions aren’t just for one sector. With creative adaptation, they can bridge gaps in healthcare too,” he said.
Passion Over Profit
A recurring message throughout the conversation was the importance of purpose. He warned against jumping into healthcare entrepreneurship just to make money. “If you’re only here to make money, it won’t work. True success is a byproduct of passion and purpose.”
He urged aspiring entrepreneurs to engage deeply with the system, listen, learn, and be driven by a genuine desire to create lasting change.
India as a Global Healthcare Leader
Looking to the future, he painted a hopeful picture. With India’s scale, diversity, and growing healthcare infrastructure, he believes the country is poised to become a global example in healthcare delivery.
“We’re doing a fantastic job. In the next decade or two, India will show the world how it’s done—how to deliver health for all, despite scale and complexity.”
He called for stronger collaboration among industry experts, grassroots workers, and policymakers, stressing the importance of mentorship and community-driven leadership.
Final Words
His insights weren’t just about identifying problems—they were a call to action for people to listen, learn, and innovate with empathy. His vision is clear: by staying grounded, passionate, and collaborative, India can set a new global standard in healthcare.
As he put it, “The solutions are right in front of us. We just need to open our eyes—and our ears.”
Composed By
InnoHEALTH magazine digital team
Listen to the full podcast on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hyqoEffNJU
