The two-day Dhanam Healthcare Summit 2026, Kerala’s largest gathering of healthcare leaders, began on Saturday morning with wide-ranging discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.
Organised by Dhanam Business Media, the summit brought together policymakers, hospital administrators, doctors, healthcare entrepreneurs, investors and technology experts to deliberate on the future of healthcare in Kerala and India. Speakers underlined the need to balance rapid growth with affordability, quality care and long-term sustainability.
Speakers and panelists noted that Kerala’s healthcare sector is at a critical juncture, driven by rising demand for advanced medical services, an ageing population and increasing health awareness. At the same time, the industry is grappling with challenges such as rising costs, manpower shortages, regulatory pressures and the need for continuous technology upgrades.
Several speakers highlighted the growing role of digital health, artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making in improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Preventive healthcare, medical tourism and specialised care services were also identified as major growth areas for the state.
Discussions also centred on the importance of supportive policies and sustained investment to strengthen healthcare infrastructure. Industry leaders stressed the need for closer collaboration between the public and private sectors to expand access to quality healthcare, especially in semi-urban and rural areas.
The summit aims to serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue, knowledge-sharing and networking among key stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem. More sessions focusing on innovation, regulation, financing and workforce development are scheduled over the course of the event.
Dhanam Healthcare Summit 2026 is expected to generate actionable insights and policy-relevant discussions that could shape the next phase of growth for Kerala’s healthcare industry.
