Medical practice in India stands at a crossroads. On one hand is the rapid proliferation of corporate hospitals—swanky, well-equipped, and offering lucrative compensation, yet fundamentally driven by profit. On the other is the public health infrastructure—designed to serve the most vulnerable, but often under-resourced, plagued by governance hurdles, and inconsistent in quality.
For a doctor who genuinely wants to make a meaningful difference for underserved communities, what are the real options?
The answer lies in hundreds of mission-driven, not-for-profit hospitals spread across the country that deliver compassionate, high-quality, and affordable care to marginalized populations. Yet, for many young doctors, these institutions remain largely invisible or out of reach.
This is where the Azim Premji Health Equity Fellowship bridges the gap. An initiative of the Azim Premji Foundation, the fellowship places doctors (MBBS and postgraduates) in public-spirited, not-for-profit hospitals across remote and underserved regions of India. Through hands-on clinical training, community-based practice, and close mentorship, it opens up developmental opportunities that tertiary corporate hospitals rarely provide.
In this video, two postgraduate doctors from the fellowship’s inaugural cohort share their journeys, challenges, and insights from the frontlines of rural healthcare.