HOSMAC, one of India’s leading hospital consulting firms, has launched the Urban Health Data Platform (UHDP), a research-driven digital platform aimed at helping healthcare stakeholders better understand India’s healthcare infrastructure through interactive mapping and analytics. Developed over several years of research, data validation and growing computational expertise, the beta version allows users to map hospitals by ownership and geographical location, offering insights to support healthcare planning, policy formulation, research and investment decisions.
The beta release focuses on cancer care infrastructure across India, mapping nearly 700 government-, trust-owned and private cancer hospitals. In addition to locating facilities, the platform analyses patient catchment areas based on travel distance and road connectivity, helping identify well-served and underserved regions. Users can also access demographic and socio-economic information, including population data, hospital ownership patterns and regional healthcare coverage, enabling more evidence-based planning and resource allocation.
A key strength of the UHDP is its ability to simulate infrastructure planning. Users can virtually add a proposed hospital at a chosen location and immediately assess its potential impact on accessibility and patient catchments. For example, an analysis of the Nanded region in Maharashtra suggests that establishing a government cancer hospital in the district could substantially improve access for underserved populations currently travelling over 200 kilometres for treatment, while easing the load on neighbouring facilities.
The platform also provides comparative insights across major metropolitan areas. Early analysis indicates that Kolkata has one of the largest cancer care catchments by population, reflecting that many patients travel long distances to receive treatment, whereas Chennai shows a more compact catchment supported by a relatively well-distributed cancer care network. Similarly, cities such as Mumbai and Delhi benefit from surrounding satellite cities that collectively enhance regional healthcare accessibility.
Commenting on the launch, Dr Vivek Desai, Founder and Managing Director, HOSMAC, said, “The Urban Health Data Platform reflects our commitment to democratising healthcare intelligence and empowering stakeholders with meaningful, research-backed insights. India requires data-driven healthcare planning now more than ever. By making validated healthcare information accessible through an interactive platform, we hope to support better investment decisions, stronger healthcare delivery systems, and more equitable access to care.”
HOSMAC plans to continuously expand the UHDP by adding new healthcare datasets, hospital typologies and analytical capabilities. Future versions are expected to incorporate variables such as hospital capacity, affordability, medical equipment, treatment costs, demographic trends, government empanelment and care pathways, building a comprehensive decision-support platform for India’s evolving healthcare ecosystem.
Designed for hospital owners, healthcare administrators, consultants, policymakers, researchers, investors and public health professionals, the Urban Health Data Platform reflects HOSMAC’s ongoing commitment to advancing healthcare through research, innovation and knowledge-driven planning.
