India’s role in shaping global thinking on patient safety highlighted at Apollo Hospitals International Health Dialogue 2026

India’s role in shaping global thinking on patient safety and healthcare management was highlighted on the opening day of the Apollo Hospitals International Health Dialogue (IHD) 2026.

The international conference brought together doctors, policymakers, digital health professionals and experts to discuss ways to create safer and more equitable healthcare systems.

At the event themed “Global Voices, One Vision”, it was seen on the opening day that patient safety was addressed as a leadership and governance issue rather than just a clinical issue.

Speakers said India’s experience in delivering healthcare at scale while steadily improving quality, transparency and accountability has influenced global health policy debates and patient safety frameworks. Apollo Hospitals Group Joint General Manager Dr. Sangita Reddy said the International Health Dialogue was created to promote learning across health systems around the world. He said there were over 5,000 registrations and participation in IHD 2026 from 75 institutions across the world, indicating increasing international interest in India’s healthcare models. “Patient safety is no longer a local issue but a shared global responsibility,” he said.

Special Chief Secretary Dr. Jayesh Ranjan underlined the importance of public policy and involvement in patient safety. He said solutions must reflect real-world diversity and emphasized that digital health initiatives must ensure equitable access so that technology-driven security measures reach all segments of society.

Apollo Hospitals President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Madhu Sasidhar said patient safety should be part of daily organizational practices. “It can’t be left to one department,” he said, adding that it must be “led from the top.” Global experts also warned against “safety confusion,” citing excessive checklists that increase staff workload without improving patient outcomes.

Reiterating the goal of patient safety, Chief Executive Officer of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, Dr. “The only acceptable number is zero harm,” said Atul Mohan Kochhar.