Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Dr Naresh Trehan Urges India and US to Learn Together
Dr Naresh Trehan says India and the United States have different healthcare problems.
In the United States, patients may wait a long time for specialists or planned operations.
In India, people in cities may find specialists quickly, but rural patients can struggle with cost and distance.
He believes both countries can improve by sharing ideas.
India has expanded good medical care through innovation, lower costs and technology.
However, India needs more doctors, nurses and other trained healthcare workers.
Trehan also says rural care, prevention and treatment for long-term diseases need more attention.
He believes public and private healthcare organizations should work together so more people can receive good care on time.
Dr Naresh Trehan says India and the United States should learn from each other’s healthcare strengths.
He contrasts long specialist waiting periods in the United States with rural affordability and access challenges in India.
Trehan says India has combined clinical quality, innovation, cost efficiency and technology to expand healthcare at scale.
He identifies shortages of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals as a major challenge for India.
He calls for stronger public-private cooperation, preventive care and workforce investment to make healthcare more equitable.
- Who
- Medanta Chairman and Managing Director Dr Naresh Trehan.
- What
- Trehan argues that India and the United States should learn from each other’s healthcare systems while addressing access, affordability, quality and workforce challenges.
- When
- Trehan describes his medical training beginning in the 1960s and reflects on healthcare developments over the past several decades.
- Where
- The discussion concerns healthcare in India and the United States, including urban and rural India.
- Why
- He says cooperation is needed to provide timely, accessible, equitable and high-quality healthcare.
- Speaker
- Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director of Medanta
- United States challenge
- Patients may face long waits for specialist consultations and elective procedures.
- India challenge
- Rural communities face limitations involving affordability and geographical access.
- India’s progress
- India has expanded healthcare through clinical excellence, innovation, cost efficiency and technology.
- Workforce need
- Trehan calls for investment in medical colleges, nursing education, paramedical training and research.
- Continuing disparities
- Urban-rural gaps, insufficient preventive care and pressure from non-communicable diseases remain concerns.
- Government initiative
- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is cited as improving access to affordable treatment.