A member of the founding family, Sangita Reddy actively participated in the inception of Apollo Hospitals, and formally joined the Group in 1983. For almost two decades since then, Sangita, as Executive Director Operations has led the human resources portfolio, and her efforts have been central to the values of the Apollo culture.

This dynamic lady has assumed immense organizational responsibilities which included creating an IT enabled patient centric operation across the Apollo footprint, and forging an unmatched continuum of care for patients.

Instrumental in the growth of the group's retail healthcare foray, Sangita leads Retail Health, which includes Health & Lifestyle under Apollo Health and Lifestyle Ltd., the company that runs Clinics, Cradles and other retail service formats.

Sangita has greatly influenced the development of the healthcare information technology industry in India and has always been focused on the need to create healthcare of the future and here she speaks about her work and dreams.. …

What are the three most essential qualities to have to be successful in the field of healthcare?

One very essential quality is to be empathetic, understand the patients and what they are going through and what their families are going through.  Clearly needs a lot of patience. I agree it is not easy to be calm and undisturbed by what happens while treatment. Medicine is not an easy science so one needs to abreast with what is going on around the world in the field of healthcare and be intelligent and hard working. I feel one should be passionate about the profession, to excel and be patient.

The biggest challenge in your career so far?

There have been many but my biggest is towards something we have been working for since the last five years. That is bring all the hospitals under one common platform for better treatment of illnesses. To get a common standardized data of healthcare that will help in giving more back to the society. The idea is actually to achieve more and thus give better care. This would involve the government and private hospitals and have record of everything in this industry.

A health issue you feel that needs to be addressed urgently in our country?

The most important health issue that has to be addressed urgently is early detection and prevention measures of cancer.

And in women it is the breast and cervical cancer. Nearly 50% of Indian women die of cancer and this can be easily avoided if detected in early stages and most do not know that. Cervical cancer is highly rampant in rural areas because of bad hygiene and this issue has to be addressed seriously.

What are your success mantras?

I am passionate about my profession and healthcare. I believe one should have vision and passion to work towards fulfilling that vision. Passion to help and thus working towards providing health care for everyone.

How do you strike the work-life balance?

I have always had lot of support from my family. I have taught my kids to prioritize and thus one has to make a few sacrifices too. I try to be efficient and organized. I believe if one is comfortable with the fact that you there are going to be some compromises than it is easier.

Your dreams for Apollo?

We are working towards an image of structured healthcare in the country. Reach out bring the best healthcare in the world, to maintain the wellness, to think best of treatments in India and thus giving the best to others and Indians too. We are ensuring a leadership role that will bring in the best healthcare at affordable prices.

About government’s initiatives….

I feel governments initiative of Anganwadis’ and PCHs is very significant their focus is good. And we at Apollo already have a social initiative Arakonda Global Health care . And our definition of health care includes an overall empowerment, which includes well b full fledged where we look at empowerment on the whole,  i working towards about total well being, which includes yoga etc.

Any health tips for women ……

Human body has the capacity to auto heal  but we tend to abuse it. I feel one should develop a healthy lifestyle. And it is never too late  to keep our mind and body fit and to go in for regular health check-ups. We women suffer from immortality syndrome so it is time that they realize that they should take care of their health.

 Sangita Reddy has been pivotal in directing operations for the entire Apollo Hospitals Group and under her, Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad has emerged as Asia's first Health City - a model that also introduced multi-dimensional holistic healthcare in India.  She has lead the organization's endeavors in the domain of telemedicine, e-health and mobile health and continues to head the IT functions across all divisions of the Group.

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