AI and Healthcare Take Center Stage at Med Harmony

Doctors Must Adapt to AI: Key Message from Med Harmony Pune Summit

Mumbai/Pune. 15^th July 2025: The future belongs to those doctors who adapt and embrace AI,” stressed Dr. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman & Founder of AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad who set the tone for ‘Med Harmony – a confluence of healthcare leaders’ held in Pune. The convention brought together over 500 doctors from more than 50 medical specialties, united in their mission to navigate the evolving landscape of Indian healthcare through collaboration, innovation, and shared learning.

Led by Pune’s most eminent medical leaders — Dr. Aditi Karad, Executive Director of VishwaRaj Hospital; Shri Jehangir H.C. Jehangir, Chairman of Jehangir Hospital and Trustee of Sir Ratan Tata Trust; Dr PK Grant, Managing Trustee at Ruby Hall Clinic, Dr Parag Sancheti Chairman and Managing Director of Sancheti Hospital, Dr Rahul Karad, Managing Trustee MIT-WPU Group of Hospitals and Medical Education, Dr Sanjay Kulkarni, Director of Urokul Hospital; Dr Sanjay Lalwani, Medical Director Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College and Hospital and Dr. Shirish Prayag, Managing Director at Prayag Hospital – the gathering served as a vibrant platform for inter-specialty dialogue and cross-sectoral thinking.

In her opening address, Dr. Aditi Karad emphasized the vision behind Med Harmony: “With India’s healthcare market rapidly expanding and technologies like telemedicine and AI reshaping care, this initiative arrives at a critical time to inspire dialogue across clinical, technological, and administrative domains.”

Dr. Parag Sancheti highlighted Pune’s growing role in global healthcare: “With over 28,000 hospital beds and increasing international patient inflow, the city is cementing its place as a medical tourism hub. Med Harmony, co-envisioned by Dr. Rahul Karad and Dr. Aditi Karad, fosters much-needed conversations beyond narrow specialty silos.”

One of the key themes throughout the conclave was the transformational potential of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. In a compelling address, Dr. Nageshwar Reddy outlined how AI is reshaping the medical field — from reducing drug discovery timelines to improving diagnostics and managing critical care workflows. “Doctors must adapt and upskill to remain effective and relevant in this rapidly evolving ecosystem,” he said.

Dr. Shirish Prayag, who introduced Dr. Reddy, reiterated the growing importance of data-driven tools in modern clinical practice.

Bringing in a wider lens on human-centered care, Dr. A.V. Gurava Reddy remarked, “Healthcare is not just science—it’s human connection. Empathy, communication, and compassion transform treatment into healing.”

Healthcare entrepreneurship took center stage as Dr. Arokiaswamy Velumani, founder of Thyrocare, shared his journey: “What you do is less important than how you do it — scale, execution, and mindset matter most. I built success by hiring fresh minds, ensuring affordability, and helping others grow with me. To become a billionaire, you must create a thousand millionaires.”

The role of insurance in improving healthcare access drew sharp focus. Dr. P.K. Grant pointed to limited insurance penetration and growing gaps between hospitals and insurers. “To achieve equity, we must push for inclusive insurance models, invest in secure digital infrastructure, and expand cost-effective solutions like telemedicine.”

Mr. Devang Mody, CEO of Bajaj Finserv Health, echoed the urgency for reform. “The insurance sector is evolving and must continue to work hand-in-hand with hospitals to resolve long-standing friction points.” There was a unanimous call for dedicated sessions between insurers and healthcare providers to foster dialogue and resolve longstanding challenges.

Shri Jehangir H.C. Jehangir called for a renewed patient-first focus: “Empathy, consistent care, and trust in our medical professionals are the bedrock of true healing. Let’s believe in our doctors before seeking unverified alternatives.”

Dr. Sanjay Kulkarni spotlighted AI and robotics in urology and men’s health, showcasing the promise of minimally invasive techniques to improve outcomes and quality of life.

Towards the end, the panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Aditi Karad and Dr. Parag Sancheti, delved into real-world barriers such as AI adoption, its perceived threat to doctors, digital workflows, strained insurer-provider relationships, and challenges in implementing government schemes.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Rahul Karad summed up the vision of Med Harmony: “In the evolving landscape of healthcare, it is compassion, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous learning that will truly define our progress.”

A spellbinding performance by Maestro Niladri Kumar added a soulful crescendo to the evening, leaving the audience thoroughly captivated.