Metro India News | Hyderabad 

India’s expanding leadership in patient safety and healthcare governance came into focus on the opening day of the Apollo Hospitals International Health Dialogue (IHD) 2026, held in Hyderabad. The high-level global conference brought together clinicians, policymakers, accreditation leaders, digital health innovators and international experts to shape a shared vision for safer, more equitable healthcare systems. 

Held under the theme “Global Voices. One Vision.”, Day 1 of IHD 2026 underscored patient safety as a core leadership and governance priority rather than a standalone clinical function.  Addressing the gathering, Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group remarked that the International Health Dialogue was conceived as a platform to enable cross-learning between health systems across the world. 

She noted that IHD 2026 recorded over 5,000 registrations and participation from 75 institutions globally, reflecting growing international interest in India’s healthcare models. Emphasizing the role of public policy and inclusivity, Dr Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana, stressed that digital health initiatives should focus on equitable access and digital inclusion, ensuring that technology-driven safety solutions benefit all sections of society. 

Dr Madhu Sasidhar, President & CEO, Apollo Hospitals, highlighted that patient safety must be embedded across the organization, calling for leadership accountability and system-wide ownership. Reinforcing the uncompromising goal of patient safety, Dr Atul Mohan Kochhar, CEO of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), stated, “Zero harm is the only acceptable number.” The day concluded with a digital health startup showcase, highlighting innovations aimed at improving patient safety through data-driven decision-making and responsible technology adoption.