In this episode of India GameChanger, we unpack India’s healthcare inflation crisis and why traditional solutions aren’t working.

Sahil Lakshmanan, Chief Business Officer at CarePal Money, explains how healthcare inflation in India is rising at an alarming rate, making medical treatment unaffordable for millions. The costs of building hospitals, training doctors, and manufacturing medicines are all increasing, while insurance coverage remains limited.

Government schemes aimed at providing financial relief struggle with inefficiencies—hospitals hesitate to accept patients covered under these programs due to delayed reimbursements and lower negotiated rates. As a result, many Indians face devastating medical bills, often forcing them to sell assets or take on crippling debt just to afford basic care. The system is failing those who need it most, and without new approaches, healthcare will become even more inaccessible.

One potential solution lies in CarePal Money's innovative financing model that allow patients to access care without immediate financial burden. A zero-interest loan structure, where hospitals cover the interest costs, could ease pressure on families while ensuring hospitals still get paid. Additionally, public-private partnerships, expanded medical education, and telemedicine advancements offer ways to increase accessibility and affordability.

Addressing India’s healthcare crisis requires a fundamental shift in mindset—from viewing borrowing as a last resort to recognizing it as a tool for survival, and from hospitals prioritizing short-term profits to investing in long-term patient trust.