With global exposure across hospitality and healthcare management, Rishabh Gupta is helping shape the next phase of growth for ShardaCare – Healthcity. Drawing on his education at the Swiss Hotel Management School and Johns Hopkins University, along with international exposure across Europe, Latin America and the United States, he believes the future of healthcare lies in combining clinical excellence with patient experience, digital transformation and community outreach. In this conversation, he shares his vision for the future of Indian healthcare and how ShardaCare is translating that vision into action.
You have worked across hospitality and healthcare before taking over responsibilities at ShardaCare. Has that journey changed the way you look at hospital management, and what lessons from outside healthcare do you think hospitals can actually benefit from?
My career has allowed me to learn from two industries that are centred around people. Hospitality taught me that every interaction shapes trust, while healthcare reinforced that every decision must ultimately improve patient outcomes. My education at the Swiss Hotel Management School strengthened my understanding of service excellence and operational precision while my programme at Johns Hopkins University exposed me to global healthcare transformation and innovation.
At ShardaCare, these learnings have come together in a very natural way. We believe clinical excellence is the foundation, but the overall patient experience is equally important. From digital registration and transparent communication to compassionate caregiving and seamless follow-up, every touchpoint matters. Our objective is to build an institution where patients not only receive world-class treatment but also feel respected, informed and cared for throughout their journey.
ShardaCare has announced ambitious expansion plans in recent years. As you grow, what do you see as the biggest challenge-building infrastructure, attracting talent, or maintaining quality across services?
Being part of a 60-acre integrated ecosystem comprising Sharda University, Sharda Medical College, Sharda Hospital and ShardaCare – Healthcity gives us a strong infrastructure foundation. Our greatest responsibility is attracting exceptional clinicians while maintaining the same standards of quality as we scale.
Our academic ecosystem allows us to nurture future healthcare professionals while attracting experienced specialists from across India. We continue to invest in multidisciplinary teams, robust clinical governance, continuous training and evidence-based care so that growth is always accompanied by consistency, patient safety and trust.
India has added hospitals and medical technology over the years, but access to quality care remains uneven. In your view, what is preventing this gap from narrowing faster?
Quality healthcare must move closer to communities. At ShardaCare, this philosophy is reflected through weekly free specialist OPDs across Greater Noida societies, outreach centres in Meerut and Bulandshahr, and our planned expansion across Western Uttar Pradesh. By the end of this month we will also launch our comprehensive outreach model in North East India, strengthening access through specialist consultations and structured referral pathways.
Beyond India, our international outreach programmes are helping extend Indian clinical expertise across borders. We believe hospitals should not remain confined within their campuses, they must actively engage with communities and make quality healthcare accessible wherever patients live.
Private hospitals are often criticised for rising treatment costs, while they also face increasing costs of technology and manpower. How can the sector strike a better balance between affordability and financial sustainability?
The answer lies in efficiency rather than compromise. Healthcare requires investment in technology, skilled manpower and quality systems, but digital transformation, preventive healthcare, value-based care and stronger collaboration with insurers and policymakers can improve affordability while maintaining the highest standards.
Technology is becoming a bigger part of healthcare, from AI to digital records. Which areas do you think have seen real benefits so far, and where do you feel expectations are running ahead of reality?
Technology has transformed healthcare when implemented responsibly. At ShardaCare we have built a digitally enabled ecosystem with integrated electronic medical records and AI-supported workflows that improve efficiency and patient safety. The introduction of the da Vinci Robotic-Assisted Surgical System further strengthens our capabilities in Surgical Oncology, Urology Gynaecology and General Surgery enabling our surgeons to perform highly precise minimally invasive procedures.
Technology should always enhance clinical expertise rather than replace it. The future belongs to institutions where digital innovation and compassionate care work together.
If you were to identify one issue that deserves far more attention from policymakers and healthcare leaders today, what would it be, and why?
Preventive healthcare. India must move from treating disease to preventing it through awareness, regular screening and early intervention. At ShardaCare this philosophy drives our community outreach, health camps and preventive programmes. The strongest healthcare systems are those that keep people healthy rather than simply treating illness.
The Road Ahead
Our vision is to build one of India’s most trusted integrated healthcare institutions by combining clinical excellence, advanced technology, academic strength and community outreach. As we expand our presence across Western Uttar Pradesh, launch our North East outreach model and strengthen international collaborations, our focus will remain unchanged: delivering accessible, compassionate and world-class healthcare while continuously innovating for better patient outcomes.