Mumbai: Lower back pain has emerged as the leading cause of disability in India — a silent crisis affecting millions — warned Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani while addressing the 5th Annual Conference of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Asia Pacific (SMISS-AP) in Mumbai.
Calling it a “spinal epidemic,” Adani said, “This is not merely a health issue, but an international crisis. Nearly one in two adult Indians experiences low back pain every year. It results in massive loss of productivity and mounting healthcare costs. It can destroy the dreams of a nation.”
Speaking before a gathering of leading spine, orthopedic, and neurosurgeons from across Asia, Adani praised the dedication of the medical community in addressing this growing health challenge. “Doctors are a symbol of hope,” he said. “You represent hope for patients and for society.”
He called for “entrepreneurial imagination” to drive the development of affordable, AI-based treatments for spinal disorders. “I urge one of you to build India’s first AI-powered spinal diagnostic platform — one that can detect degeneration long before disability sets in,” Adani said.
Quoting the iconic film Munna Bhai MBBS, he added, “Healing is not just about medicine — it’s about humanity. Jadoo ki jhappi and a surgeon’s scalpel both carry the same essence: humanity.”
Adani likened the work of spine surgeons to the qualities needed in leadership. “The spine you mend is the ultimate architecture of resilience. Just as the body needs a strong spine, so do institutions — they need leaders with self-belief,” he said.
He also stressed the need to strengthen India’s health infrastructure and embrace innovation in medical technology. “Dreams are not what you see in sleep; dreams are what keep you awake,” he said, urging closer partnerships between the medical community and private sector.
Reaffirming his commitment to healthcare, Adani said, “The Adani Group stands ready to walk with you. Three years ago, on my 60th birthday, my family pledged Rs 60,000 crore towards healthcare, education, and skill development. We are already on that journey.”
The Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS) is an international community of surgeons dedicated to advancing techniques that reduce tissue damage and recovery time. Its annual conference brings together experts from across the globe to share innovations, training, and research in the field.
Adani Group to invest $100 billion over five years
Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, on Friday announced the launch of cutting-edge "AI-first Healthcare Temples" in Ahmedabad and Mumbai. These facilities will be 1,000-bed integrated campuses aimed at delivering affordable, world-class healthcare.
Adani said, “We are committed to building AI-first healthcare ecosystems. These Healthcare Temples will reflect that vision, and we’re proud to have the Mayo Clinic as our partner in design, implementation, and global benchmarking.” He also revealed that the group is preparing for a capital investment of nearly USD 100 billion over the next five years, calling it a historic commitment by any Indian private sector company. “This scale and speed of investment is unprecedented,” he noted, positioning it as a reflection of India’s emerging future.
