How Private Equity Is Driving Up Your Hospital Bills | In Focus Weekend

For most Indians, the bulk of their medical expenses come out of pocket. In such a scenario, rapidly rising healthcare costs are no less dangerous than any deadly disease. One major reason for cost escalation is the entry of private equity into India’s healthcare sector.A new book, titled ‘The Silent Syndicate: How Big Finance is Destroying India’s Healthcare’ documents how global financial capital is gobbling up Indian hospitals, pharma companies, insurance players, and diagnostic labs. And all of this is happening in a regulatory void, with the state seemingly abandoning its responsibility toward the well-being of its own citizens.How did we let this happen? What is the remedy? Is there a way to keep privatised healthcare both affordable and accountable to patients?We speak with public policy expert and the book’s author, Ameer Shahul.Host: G SampathProducer: Shiksha JuralListen to more In Focus podcasts: Published - October 28, 2026 02:49 pm IST