Healthcare has become one of India’s largest sectors – both in terms of revenue and employment. Healthcare comprises hospitals, medical devices, clinical trials, outsourcing, telemedicine, medical tourism, health insurance and medical equipment. The Indian healthcare sector is growing at a brisk pace due to its strengthening coverage, services and increasing expenditure by public as well private players. The private sector has emerged as a vibrant force in India’s healthcare industry, lending it both national and international repute. It accounts for almost 74 per cent of the country’s total healthcare expenditure. Telemedicine is a fast-emerging trend in India; major hospitals (Apollo, AIIMS, Narayana Hrudayalaya) have adopted telemedicine services and entered into a number of public-private partnerships (PPP).

The telemedicine market in India is valued at US$ 7.5 million currently and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20 per cent to reach US$ 18.7 million by 2017. The Indian healthcare sector is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.9 per cent during 2015-20 to US$ 280 billion.
            The hospital and diagnostic centers attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth US$ 3.41 billion between April 2000 and December 2015, according to data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). The E-health initiative, which is a part of Digital India drive launched by Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, aims at providing effective and economical healthcare services to all citizens. India is a land full of opportunities for players in the medical devices industry. The country has also become one of the leading destinations for high-end diagnostic services with tremendous capital investment for advanced diagnostic facilities, thus catering to a greater proportion of population.
References: Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), RNCOS Reports, Media Reports, Press Information Bureau (PIB), Union Budget 2016-17​