Dr BS Ajaikumar on Rising Cancer Cases, Healthcare Gaps and the Power of Doctorpreneurship
On World Cancer Day (February 4), doctorpreneur and founder of HealthCare Global Dr BS Ajaikumar says cancer cases will rise due to ageing, environmental factors, and the ecosystem we live in
Saurabh Tankha
He is an oncologist who chose entrepreneurship to make world-class cancer care accessible to all. He prefers to be called a doctorpreneur. Founder of HealthCare Global, which has 30 centres across India, Dr BS Ajaikumar recently authored Excellence Has No Borders (Penguin Portfolio; 234 pages; Rs 699) with Hemanth Gorur, capturing his inspiring journey.
www.lifeandmore.in had an exclusive email interaction with the doctorpreneur…
When did the idea to pen this book come and how did you manage time to write it?
I have always enjoyed storytelling. My family often encouraged me to write. I decided to move beyond fiction and tell a real story—my journey as a doctorpreneur. That’s when the idea for this book took shape.
When did you decide to become a doctorpreneur?
After completing my residency at MD Anderson, I had two choices—continue there or start my own practice. I chose entrepreneurship. I wanted the freedom to build something with a clear vision and execute it my way.
How easy or difficult is it to be a doctorpreneur? What challenges did you face at the grassroots level?
Practising in the US offers ease but lacks a sense of belonging. In India, you have identity but face systemic challenges. In the 90s and early 2000s, bureaucracy, high interest rates, and the licence raj made entrepreneurship difficult. Private enterprise was not encouraged. We faced financial struggles and even considered shutting down. But with determination and support from dedicated partners, we pushed forward.
To be a successful entrepreneur, one needs to be…?
You must take risks. Entrepreneurs think differently—they are calculated risk-takers. You cannot wait for perfect security. Failure is part of the journey. Sometimes, failure itself becomes success, depending on how you learn from it. I see myself as a social entrepreneur, focused on giving back to society while building sustainable growth.
Cancer cases in India are expected to double every 20 years. How can we control this rise?
Cancer cases will increase due to ageing, lifestyle changes, and environmental factors. Obesity, smoking, and tobacco use are major contributors. We actively advocate reducing tobacco consumption and have taken legal steps to push for stricter regulations. Increasing taxes on tobacco and investing that revenue in awareness and treatment can help. We need bold, disruptive solutions to reduce cancer incidence.
Experts say ageing is a major driver of cancer. Do you agree?
Ageing does increase cancer risk, but it is not the only factor. We are seeing more cases among younger people, especially breast cancer. Lifestyle diseases like obesity play a major role. There is also growing evidence linking diabetes and Alzheimer’s with cancer.
There is a gap in cancer care facilities across India. How can this be addressed?
We need universal healthcare. The government alone cannot bridge the gap. Private healthcare must expand beyond metros, but that requires policy support and uniform standards of care across regions.
There is criticism around private healthcare costs. Your view?
The issue is not public vs private healthcare. Both aim to serve patients. Private hospitals also contribute significantly through charity and subsidised care. Misconceptions around costs often ignore ground realities. The real solution lies in building a strong universal healthcare system with fair reimbursement and quality standards.
