This article originally appeared in The Economic Times. 

India's healthcare outlook is troubling. A tsunami of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, cardiac ailments, and diabetes is hitting our shores. That means economic loss, besides being the leading cause of death: Responsible for more than six—and up to eight—in 10 deaths in urban India.

A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health assessed the financial burden of NCDs in India at nearly $6.2 trillion from 2012 through 2030. Meeting this challenge also presents an opportunity. As India's urban healthcare system is nascent, the potential exists to develop India-centric, cost-effective models more sustainable than those in developed markets.

Focusing beyond the urban affluent and poor to the expanding urban mass market will be key, as this segment will account for over 450 million people by 2020. The people in this urban market have per capita incomes ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 and $5,000 to $10,000. By 2020, their healthcare spending will be a whopping Rs 200,000 crore.

Read the full article at The Economic Times