Atantra Dasgupta: Scaling Healthcare with Strategy, Trust, and Digital Intelligence

Atantra Dasgupta

In this insightful interview with Atantra Dasgupta, a seasoned healthcare leader shares a journey defined by disciplined strategy, people-centric leadership, and market-shaping innovation. From transforming a large Indian healthcare business within a Korean multinational enterprise into a high-growth, profitable organization, to driving trust-led disruption and AI-enabled healthcare delivery, the conversation offers a masterclass in sustainable scale, digital transformation, and purpose-driven leadership.

From Turnaround to Profitable Scale

We started the interview by asking, “You led the transformation of a healthcare business within a Korean multinational, scaling it from INR 100 crore to over INR 600 crore. What core leadership philosophy enabled this turnaround?”

Atantra Dasgupta replied, “The transformation was anchored in disciplined execution and structural profitability. Rather than pursuing growth in isolation, the focus was on portfolio rationalization, governance strengthening, and creating a high-trust, high-accountability culture. By empowering teams and aligning strategy with operational rigor, a loss-making healthcare business was successfully converted into a double-digit margin enterprise—demonstrating that sustainable scale is built through clarity, execution discipline, and customer-centric value creation.”

Redefining Trust through Long-Term Commitment

Times CEO Magazine: Introducing a five-year comprehensive warranty was a bold move. What impact did it create in the healthcare market?

Atantra Dasgupta replied, “The five-year warranty was more than a commercial tactic; it was a strategic disruption. In a regulation-intensive and trust-driven industry like healthcare, purchasing decisions hinge on lifecycle economics and reliability. By offering an industry-first long-term warranty, we reshaped buying behavior and strengthened institutional trust. It shifted the conversation from upfront pricing to total cost of ownership. This move reinforced our commitment to quality and patient safety while differentiating us in a crowded market. It also strengthened customer loyalty and improved long-term revenue visibility, creating a win-win for providers and the organization.”

Innovation That Expands Access

Times CEO Magazine: You led the launch of 500 mA mobile digital radiography solutions. How did this expand healthcare access?

Atantra Dasgupta replied, “Healthcare equity requires innovation that travels beyond metropolitan hospitals. The 500 mA mobile DR solution was designed to serve secondary and semi-urban centers where infrastructure constraints limit access to diagnostics. By making imaging portable and affordable, we expanded diagnostic reach into underserved markets. This initiative unlocked new revenue streams while directly improving patient outcomes through faster diagnosis. For me, innovation must serve both business growth and social impact. When technology bridges access gaps, it strengthens the entire healthcare ecosystem, providers, patients, and policymakers alike.”

AI as an Enabler, Not a Replacement

Times CEO Magazine: With an MS in AI and ML from Liverpool John Moores University, how do you see AI transforming healthcare delivery?

Atantra Dasgupta replied, “AI is redefining clinical decision-making and operational efficiency. My academic journey at IISC, Liverpool John Moores University, and IIITB deepened my understanding of how machine learning can enhance diagnostic precision and reduce time to treatment. AI-enabled imaging, predictive analytics, and integrated digital platforms will significantly improve clinical workflows. However, technology alone is insufficient governance, ethical frameworks, and interoperability standards are equally critical. The goal is not automation for its own sake, but augmentation of clinical intelligence. When AI is responsibly integrated, it elevates outcomes, reduces cost burdens, and strengthens the care quotient across systems.”

Building India’s Digital Health Backbone

Times CEO Magazine: As a Member of the Digital Health Informatics Committee under BIS, what priorities do you see for India’s digital health ecosystem?

Atantra Dasgupta replied, “Standardization is foundational for scalable digital health. Through my engagement with the Digital Health Committee under BIS, I see immense opportunity in establishing interoperability frameworks, cybersecurity standards, and AI governance protocols. India’s healthcare transformation depends on structured digital integration where devices, data, and decision systems communicate seamlessly. Clear standards accelerate innovation while protecting patient data and ensuring quality. The next decade will be defined by how effectively we align regulation, industry, and technology to build a secure, inclusive digital health architecture.”

Creating High-Performance Cultures

Times CEO Magazine: You have consistently built high-performance teams. What is your leadership approach

Atantra Dasgupta replied, “Leadership, to me, is about creating ownership. Titles do not deliver results; people do. I invest deeply in leadership development, performance coaching, and transparent accountability frameworks. High-performance cultures are built when individuals understand not only what to do, but why it matters. I emphasize clarity of goals, data-driven review mechanisms, and empowerment at every level. When teams feel trusted and accountable, they outperform markets. Sustainable growth emerges when culture, capability, and strategy are aligned toward a shared purpose.”

The Road Ahead

Lastly we asked, “What motivates you as you look toward CXO or CEO opportunities in global healthcare?”

“Looking ahead to senior global leadership roles, the aspiration is to build healthcare enterprises where innovation velocity is balanced with ethical responsibility. Experience across leading global healthcare organizations has reinforced a belief that profitability and patient outcomes must move in tandem. The future of healthcare leadership will belong to those who scale with discipline, think digitally, and lead with a human-centered vision.” Atantra Dasgupta concluded

Connect with Atantra Dasgupta on LinkedIn

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