The evolving blueprint for women’s and children’s healthcare

The Amber Wing brings 55 beds and a range of new specialties, from robotics to cardiac care. What does this mean for where Surya Hospitals is headed?

We started as a paediatric hospital. In 2013, we expanded into maternity services because we were regularly receiving and transferring newborns from across Mumbai, Maharashtra and Gujarat. At one point, we paused and asked ourselves: why are we only caring for the babies? Why not provide care for the mothers as well? That marked a significant milestone in our journey and led us to become a dedicated mother-and-child hospital.

As we began caring for mothers, we realised that their healthcare needs extend well beyond childbirth. A woman may come to us for delivery but also require treatment for conditions such as fibroids, polyps or other complex gynaecological issues. Around 2013–14, this prompted our evolution into a dedicated Women and Children’s Hospital.

Our journey has continued to evolve. Women may require orthopaedic care, cardiac care or treatment across a range of other specialties. We wanted to create an integrated healthcare environment where they could access a broad spectrum of services in one place. The Amber Wing reflects that vision by expanding our capabilities for both women and children.

For paediatrics, we are adding specialties such as nephrology, endocrinology and urology, complementing the NICU and PICU services we already offer. For women, we are strengthening our capabilities in high-risk obstetrics, advanced gynaecology, laparoscopic surgery and gynaecological oncology. Our adult ICU is equipped to support critically ill mothers, and once the cath lab becomes operational, we expect to further strengthen our cardiac care services.

Women account for a considerable proportion of knee replacement procedures, reflecting the higher prevalence of osteoarthritis and bone health concerns, particularly after menopause. At the same time, many women are choosing to conceive later in life. These evolving healthcare needs reinforce the importance of building an integrated healthcare ecosystem that supports women across different stages of life.

Our vision is simple. We want women to have access to a comprehensive range of healthcare services under one roof, enabling continuity of care wherever possible. The same applies to children with neurological disorders and other complex medical conditions. Our aim is to bring together the expertise, infrastructure and multidisciplinary care needed to support patients and their families throughout their healthcare journey.

What does the investment picture look like behind all this?

Our immediate goal is to expand to approximately 750 beds by the end of the year, with a longer-term ambition of reaching the 1,000-bed milestone over the next two years, subject to project timelines and the necessary regulatory approvals.

We currently maintain a healthy balance sheet with relatively low levels of debt. We have funding in place to support the development of two to three additional hospitals, while also evaluating suitable acquisition opportunities that align with our long-term growth strategy. At present, we do not anticipate the need to raise fresh capital this year. Looking ahead, if additional funding is required to support future expansion, we will evaluate the most appropriate options, including working with our existing equity partners or exploring other financing avenues.

One aspect that I feel strongly about is involving doctors in our growth journey wherever appropriate. We view our clinicians as long-term partners in building the institution, and, when opportunities arise, we encourage their participation in our growth. Our promoter group comprises doctors, including myself, alongside private equity and financial partners. This collaborative approach has served us well and continues to support our long-term vision for the organisation.

When does the Amber Wing become fully operational?

Most of the key clinical facilities are already in place, including the ICU, operation theatres and specialist teams. Cardiology services are expected to commence once the cath lab becomes operational.

We expect the Amber Wing to become fully operational following the completion of the remaining commissioning activities. These include fumigation, deep cleaning, swab testing and all mandatory safety and quality checks to ensure the facility is fully prepared for patient care. We have also begun accepting bookings in anticipation of the formal operational launch.

Cervical and breast cancer screening rates in India are still very low. What is actually getting in the way, beyond just access to infrastructure?

Awareness remains one of the biggest challenges. From school through adulthood, preventive healthcare is often not given the attention it deserves. While people are increasingly conscious of their overall well-being, regular health screening is still not a priority for many.

Although health information is more accessible today than ever before, preventive healthcare does not always receive the attention it deserves. What is needed is sustained counselling not just a pamphlet or a brief conversation—but meaningful engagement that helps people understand the value of prevention, early detection and regular screening.

At Surya Hospitals, we believe patient education is an integral part of healthcare. Our teams take the time to help patients and their families understand their health and treatment options. In complex NICU cases, for example, clinicians often spend considerable time counselling families to ensure they fully understand their child’s condition and the recommended course of care. We believe informed patients and caregivers are better equipped to participate in healthcare decisions.

Awareness of the HPV vaccine, which helps protect against cervical cancer, continues to be lower than it should be across many segments of the population. Similarly, many adults may not be aware of the importance of discussing age-appropriate cancer screening with their healthcare providers. These are well-established preventive measures, but greater awareness and public education are still needed to improve their uptake.

That is why preventive health and mental well-being are important pillars of our approach to care. Many health conditions can often be managed more effectively when detected early, which is why awareness, prevention and timely intervention remain so important. Healthcare should focus not only on treating illness but also on promoting prevention, early detection and informed decision-making.

Despite ongoing government-led screening initiatives, coverage and uptake of women’s preventive health screening remain limited in many parts of the country. How much is that gap costing us?

It is costing lives. While there has been progress in areas such as vaccination programmes, including the HPV vaccine, preventive screening among women still needs far greater adoption and awareness. Much of the suffering that results from delayed diagnosis is preventable.

That said, I do not think it is useful to place the entire responsibility on the government. The private sector has an important role to play as well. We interact with patients every day. We can engage with schools, colleges and communities. If we are not doing that, then we are not fulfilling our responsibility.

Private hospitals are growing rapidly and reaching more patients than ever before. That scale comes with responsibility, and that responsibility includes prevention, awareness and early detection not just treatment.

You work with a large number of women patients directly. How is awareness around health changing among them?

There has been a noticeable shift in recent years. Patients today women and men alike are increasingly interested in understanding their health. They ask more questions, seek greater clarity and want to understand not just what a diagnosis or treatment involves, but also the reasons behind it.

One of the key drivers of this change is easier access to health information. Today, many patients review their reports soon after receiving them and look for reliable information to better understand their results, possible causes and available treatment options. This level of access to information was far less common a decade ago and has changed the way many patients engage with their healthcare.

Of course, access to information also comes with challenges. Information that is taken out of context or obtained from unreliable sources can sometimes lead to unnecessary anxiety or misconceptions. However, when supported by appropriate medical guidance, better-informed patients are often able to have more meaningful conversations with their doctors and play a more active role in decisions about their care.

Take something as routine as a blood test. Many patients now review their reports before meeting their doctor and come prepared with questions, making consultations more interactive and productive. Similarly, it is increasingly common for patients to seek information about their diagnosis or prescribed medications before beginning treatment. Overall, this growing interest in understanding one’s health is a positive development, provided it is complemented by guidance from qualified healthcare professionals.