A group of global and Indian health experts working with the medical journal The Lancet has called for a major transformation in India’s healthcare system. The experts say India must move toward a citizen-centred, publicly funded, and technology-enabled health system to achieve universal health coverage.
The recommendations come from a special commission of nearly 30 health and policy experts. Their work was published online on January 21, 2026, as a series of reports and commentaries in The Lancet.
Why India needs a new healthcare model
The commission noted that global health leadership is going through a difficult phase. With the World Health Organization facing financial and political pressure and the United States stepping back from global health commitments, the experts believe India can play a stronger role.
According to the report, India has an opportunity to become a leading voice for the Global South and promote fairer access to healthcare across developing nations in a changing global order.
Focus on people, not just institutions
The experts argue that India’s healthcare system should be built around the needs of citizens rather than institutions. They recommend an integrated health-care system that is mainly funded and delivered by the public sector, while also guiding the private sector to support national health goals.
This model, they say, would improve access to affordable and quality healthcare for all Indians.
Rethinking the healthcare workforce
One of the key proposals is to change how healthcare workers are trained and evaluated. Instead of focusing only on degrees and professional titles, the commission suggests giving more importance to:
- Practical skills
- Ethical values
- Motivation to serve patients
- Community-based experience
The experts also recommend empowering frontline health workers and practitioners of traditional Indian systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
Technology as a health-care backbone
The commission strongly supports the use of digital technology to improve healthcare delivery. They say technology can help track patients, improve access in rural areas, and make services more efficient and transparent.
Digital health tools, telemedicine, and data systems should be part of India’s public healthcare infrastructure.
Who is behind the report
The commission includes experts from some of the world’s leading institutions, including:
- Harvard Medical School
- Johns Hopkins University
- Ashoka University
- Indian Institute of Public Health
- Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Their combined research aims to guide India toward a modern, fair, and people-focused healthcare system.
A chance for India to lead
The report concludes that India is in a strong position to shape the future of global healthcare. By building a citizen-centred system at home, India can also help influence how healthcare is delivered across developing countries worldwide.