Private Hospitals Must Innovate, Invest In Research—That’S How We Bring Down Costs

Dr Sharan Shivaraj Patil, Chairman & Chief Orthopedic Surgeon at Bengaluru-based Sparsh Group of Hospitals, has reshaped orthopedic care in India. Starting in 2006 with a specialized orthopedic facility, his vision led to Sparsh's evolution into a multi-specialty hospital chain, now expanding further in Bengaluru. In an exclusive interview with Bizz Buzz, he reflects on his journey from Gulbarga to London and back, his passion for innovation in healthcare, and the role of AI, robotics, and 3D printing in transforming surgeries. He also discusses Sparsh’s commitment to affordability, research-driven medical advancements, and its social initiatives providing free surgeries to children and retired teachers. "Our goal is to offer world-class healthcare while making it accessible to the masses," he says

You are a doctor who went to London, but then came back and started your enterprise. Tell us your story from the beginning.

My journey started in a small town, Gulbarga, where I grew up in a professional family. My father was a lawyer. I moved to Bangalore in 1979 for my studies, and while law was initially an option, I found myself drawn to medicine and ultimately chose this path.

After completing my MBBS in Gulbarga, I discovered my passion for orthopedics early on, captivated by the transformative impact it had on patients, especially in traumatic situations. I pursued my postgraduate training at KMC Manipal and completed an MCH at the University of Liverpool.

In 1996, I returned to India and established a strong practice as an orthopedic consultant at a major hospital. But around 2006, the entrepreneurial spirit inspired me to start my venture, and that’s how Sparsh was born. Initially, we focused exclusively on orthopedics, and our early success encouraged us to expand into a multi-specialty model.

When we started, we had an exclusive orthopedic hospital. We did everything in orthopedics. We started, right from day one, different sections such as pediatric orthopedics, orthoplasty, sports medicine, spine surgery and trauma surgery, Today, with several hospitals, Sparsh is committed to delivering excellence in a wide range of specialties while maintaining our core expertise in orthopedics.

All your facilities are a single geography—in fact, one city, Bengaluru. Even the upcoming ones, at Hennur and Sarjapur, are in Bengaluru. Why is it so?

There is a lot to be done in Bengaluru. The launch of new units is a strategic step in addressing the evolving healthcare needs of Bengaluru’s rapidly growing communities. The new units will also offer personalized and data-driven treatment plans supported by advanced research and development. We want to use our resources optimally, so we find it better to stay focused in one city. When we grow big enough, we may think of other geographies. We at Sparsh ask ourselves: can we do it all over the country? No, but we can contribute to tertiary care. The government is mainly focused on primary care.

Our upcoming new units will not only elevate medical infrastructure in Bengaluru but also create substantial job opportunities, making a notable impact on the local economy. The Rs 300-crore Hennur facility alone will generate 1,800 direct and indirect jobs.

What role technology and innovations play in healthcare?

Our vision extends beyond infrastructure expansion. As a leader in the industry, the hospital group is focused on fostering research-driven advancements to keep India at the forefront of global healthcare innovation. It would expand specialty care programmes to address critical healthcare gaps. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and precision medicine are aimed at setting new standards in healthcare excellence. The future of healthcare lies in a seamless fusion of technology, research, and compassionate care. Our goal is to not only treat diseases but to anticipate them, prevent complications, and personalize treatment like never before.

How do you address the healthcare challenges in India?

We recognize the unique challenges of healthcare in India and the need to develop solutions tailored to our population rather than relying solely on Western approaches. This drives us to invest heavily in research, development, and innovation. Technology not only enhances treatment precision and outcomes but also helps reduce the cost of healthcare, making it more accessible.

Our launch of India’s first on-site advanced 3D Printing Lab is part of this mission. This lab enables us to create custom implants, surgical guides, and models, making complex surgeries more efficient, accurate, and affordable. When we innovate, the cost of healthcare also comes down. And that’s one of my mission statements. When we started the hospital, we said that we’ll use our knowledge and innovation to bring the cost of healthcare down so that it’s within the reach of most people.

With over three decades of experience, how do you view the changes that have taken place in healthcare?

There has been a tremendous change in the way healthcare was being provided till a few decades ago. There were mainly government and charitable hospitals. Over the years, however, there has been considerable progress in medical science and technology. Now we do things which were unimaginable till some time back. Lifespans have increased; there are vaccinations; there are ways to control and check endemics. Today, we tackle diseases very effectively.

Earlier, in a 20-page chapter on a disease, there would be just one or two paragraphs on the cure, but that is no longer the case. For instance, cancer is not a death sentence anymore; there are so many cancer survivors.

How has India kept pace with the rest of the world in healthcare?

Today, in India we have the same gadgets as the best in the world. There is a level-playing field. The main problem is that we are not able to provide quality healthcare at only a few places. There are many reasons for it—economy, scale, population.

Our launch of India’s first on-site advanced 3D printing lab is part of our mission to offer the latest technology. This lab enables us to create custom implants, surgical guides, and models, making complex surgeries more efficient, accurate, and affordable. When we innovate, the cost of healthcare also comes down. And that’s one of my mission statements. When we started the hospital, we said that we’ll use our knowledge and innovation to bring the cost of healthcare down so that it’s within the reach of most people.

Which future-ready technologies are growing?

Robotics and 3D printing are revolutionizing orthopedics. 3D printing allows us to create highly accurate, patient-specific models, enabling us to plan and rehearse complex procedures before entering the operating room. For example, using a 3D model, a complex hip replacement surgery can now be completed in an hour instead of the usual two to three hours. Robotics brings precision to executing these plans. Together, they ensure predictable, efficient, and high-quality outcomes. These tools empower young surgeons to perform at a high level early in their careers, ensuring consistent and accurate results.

What role are digital health and AI playing?

Digital health is the future, transforming healthcare from evidence-based to data-based medicine. By digitizing healthcare data, we can derive insights that improve the precision and customization of care. AI and machine learning can help in developing algorithms for better decision-making, leading to personalized care at scale. This approach will be crucial for addressing healthcare challenges in India and beyond.

What role private enterprise can play in improving the situation?

The private sector's role is important in nation-building. For instance, Sparsh is capable of providing the best healthcare, which is as good as anywhere else in the world. We have the technology and the requisite manpower. Last week, we carried out seven transplant operations in a single day. We endeavor to match the best in the world.

All our hospitals are multispecialty, capable of handling all kinds of medical problems. At the same time, each of them is a centre of excellence in one area, be it orthopedics or cancer.

We rely on the collective wisdom of our pool of talented doctors. Our focus is on what the patient wants, not on what we know. We rely on technology for convenience and cure.

We offer our services at reasonable prices. I want to mention here that we are not Mother Teresa; we are not doing charity. We have bills to pay; we have to take care of our employees.

In our bid to become the best in the world, we are getting doctors from other countries. Out of the 85 doctors for our upcoming two facilities, 15-20 are expats. We made an effort to get them back by advertising in a medical journal in London. Similarly with nurses. We are arranging a nurses’ hostel at a walkable distance from our hospital.

What are your activities under corporate social responsibility or CSR?

At Sparsh, we believe in giving back to the community. Our social arm, Sparsh Foundation, organizes two flagship initiatives: ‘Sparsh Vachana,’ where we perform free surgeries and treatment for children with complex musculoskeletal issues, and ‘Guru Namana,’ where we offer joint replacement surgeries for retired teachers from rural areas. These initiatives are a testament to our commitment to society. We also focus on training through DNB courses and fellowship programs, nurturing the next generation of specialists with a spirit of excellence, compassion, and community service. Recently, in partnership with an NGO, we have been providing free dental treatment to underprivileged children.

What is your vision for the future?

It is clear: if a medical advancement can happen anywhere in the world, it should be possible at Sparsh. We aim to deliver world-class care in India. Our focus is on innovation, quality, and compassion. We want Sparsh Hospitals to be known for healthcare excellence, where every patient feels as safe and cared for as they would in any top hospital globally.