The structure of India's economic growth is starting to shift toward regional hubs, and the healthcare delivery system is changing as well. The high-end segment was already covered by metropolitan areas. Now, the focus is shifting to Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations, led by Cocoon Hospital. This facility specialises in dignity-led care, balancing state-of-the-art clinical abilities and patient experience.
In an exclusive interview with FE Healthcare, Devyani Jaipuria, Vice Chairperson of Cocoon Hospital, talks about the challenges of managing growth across diverse regions. She also highlights the growing role of AI in pediatrics for preventive care and discusses reliability as the next important area for healthcare in India.
Q. What do you think are the most important gaps that still exist in maternal and child health, especially in Tier 2 cities in India?
Tier-2 cities have undergone significant changes in the last decade. People are more aware, have better access, and are willing to spend on quality healthcare. However, current issues stem more from consistency than from a lack of resources. Access to specialists, uniform clinical processes, and dependable infrastructure are not yet stable across different areas. The focus should not just be on growth, but on reliability. Families need to feel confident that wherever they seek care, they will receive the same level of treatment and safety.
Q. Cocoon Hospital has defined itself through patient experience and dignity-led care. How do you translate that into practice, particularly in a sector facing significant cost constraints and physical limitations?
Dignity-led care cannot be treated as an additional layer. It has to be part of the foundation.
We prioritise this in our everyday routines at Cocoon. It may be reflected in communication between doctors and patients, reactions from teams and patient satisfaction in general.
When care is delivered with empathy and respect, it changes how patients experience healthcare. Trust is enhanced, anxiety reduced and engagement improved. Patients feel more confident and involved, which results in increased satisfaction in the long term.
Q. The healthcare industry in India is witnessing a shift toward preventive and personalised care. How are you integrating these trends into your current healthcare delivery model?
Healthcare today is moving from reactive treatment to proactive engagement. At Cocoon, preventive and personalised healthcare are seen as the core of this transformation. Parents seek guidance, rather than simply treatments. They want to be educated regarding potential dangers and make informed decisions.
We do so through prenatal counseling, screening, nutrition education, postnatal check-ups, and continuous evaluation of child development. We concentrate on establishing continuous communication with families, rather than engaging with them exclusively during emergencies.
Q. Technology adoption, such as telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics and digital patient engagement, has accelerated post-pandemic. What role do these innovations play in your growth strategy?
Technology is helping make healthcare more accessible and connected. AI-based diagnostics help in identifying any potential risks early on, helping doctors make better decisions. On the other hand, virtual interaction will ensure that medical treatment doesn’t end with just a hospital visit. Using our Cocoon Care App, we are striving to offer a seamless care process. Families can remain informed about everything from initial consultations all the way up until childbirth and the development stages of their children. There are no ambiguities when it comes to current expectations. Everyone wants simplicity, convenience, and continuity, which we can now offer with the help of technology.
Q. When entering Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets, it is an incredible opportunity but operational challenges as well as human capital challenges. How have you overcome these issues while scaling across smaller regional centers?
Scaling in Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets requires a very thoughtful approach. These regions have immense potential, but they are also diverse in terms of expectations and cultural context. That which may be successful in one city might not work in the next.
So far, we have concentrated on developing solid healthcare systems and training programs while being mindful of our needs in these areas. It’s important that we balance standardization and sensitivity in these markets.
Q. The business of stem cell banking and health solutions of the future seems to be attracting young families. How do you envision this section growing in India and what are the challenges relating to awareness and adaptation?
Stem cell banking is gradually becoming part of a larger conversation around preventive healthcare. With growing awareness, people are starting to treat it like a longer-term choice than an optional addition. As far as the global market is concerned, this market is continuously growing, and India is no exception either. The problem here arises from awareness and comprehension. If the market is expected to grow meaningfully in the coming years, then communication and mutual trust among families will be crucial.
Q. What are the biggest growth opportunities and structural challenges for India’s healthcare sector over the next 5-10 years?
India’s healthcare growth will be increasingly driven by Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets. A trend towards planned and preventive care is being observed in these areas, which presents a major opportunity. At the same time, there are structural challenges around talent availability, infrastructure and standardisation.
The focus going forward will be on creating systems that are scalable, consistent and adaptable to the local conditions. The organisations that succeed will be those that are able to combine scale with a strong understanding of patient expectations.
