India has secured the third position in a global survey on healthcare quality, with Malaysia ranking first and Singapore coming second. The survey, released by market research company Ipsos in October 2026, found that 68 per cent of Indian respondents rated the quality of healthcare positively.
The ranking is based on people’s views of the healthcare services available in their countries. It does not mean that India has the world’s third-best hospitals or medical outcomes. Instead, it reflects how respondents assess the quality of care, their trust in healthcare services and their ability to access medical facilities.
The survey also found that 64 per cent of Indian respondents trusted the quality of treatment available to them. However, the positive ratings came alongside concerns about medical expenses, treatment standards and patient safety.
Getting medical appointments is easier, survey finds
India recorded the highest result among the 32 countries surveyed for ease of getting a doctor’s appointment. Around 73 per cent of Indian respondents said they could secure an appointment when needed.
Pharmacies received a similarly positive response, with 81 per cent saying they had easy access to them.
These figures suggest that many respondents do not see access to basic healthcare services as their biggest difficulty. However, the experience can differ from one patient to another, and the survey does not establish whether people can afford every consultation, test or prescribed medicine.
Healthcare costs remain a concern
The cost of treatment was one of the major problems identified by Indian respondents. According to Ipsos, 42 per cent considered healthcare expenses a significant challenge. Meanwhile, 74 per cent agreed that good-quality healthcare was unaffordable for many people in India.
Participants also raised concerns about the standard of care. Poor-quality treatment was mentioned by 36 per cent, while 28 per cent pointed to cleanliness. Another 25 per cent identified safety as a problem.
The responses highlight an important distinction in the survey: people can rate access to healthcare positively while still worrying about the cost and standard of treatment. Being able to visit a doctor does not automatically mean that the full cost of care is manageable.
Diabetes tops the list of health concerns
Diabetes emerged as the most frequently mentioned health concern in India, with 40 per cent of respondents identifying it as a priority. Mental health came next at 37 per cent, followed by stress at 33 per cent.
Obesity was mentioned by 20 per cent of respondents, while drug abuse was cited by 14 per cent.
These figures represent public concerns rather than the actual number of people living with these conditions. They nevertheless provide an indication of the health issues that respondents believe deserve attention.
Most respondents expect healthcare to improve
The survey also asked people about the future of healthcare in their local areas. In India, 54 per cent expected healthcare quality to improve over the coming years. The global average was 31 per cent.
At the same time, 59 per cent of Indian respondents considered the healthcare system overstretched, and 62 per cent reported long waits for doctor appointments. The findings therefore present a mixed picture: confidence in healthcare remains high, but concerns about pressure on services have not disappeared.
Ipsos also found that 70 per cent of Indian respondents believed people often relied on over-the-counter medicines or home remedies without consulting a healthcare professional.
How the survey was conducted
Ipsos carried out the survey through its Global Advisor online platform from July 13 to August 7, 2026. A total of 22,528 adults participated across 32 countries. Around 1,000 respondents were surveyed in each of 13 countries, including India, while approximately 500 people took part in each of the other 19 countries.
Malaysia ranked first on the Quality of Care Perception Index, followed by Singapore and India. Vietnam and Australia completed the top five.
India’s third-place ranking offers a positive assessment of public confidence in healthcare, particularly in relation to access and trust. But the findings on affordability, treatment quality and safety show that the ranking is only one part of the picture. For many respondents, the ability to obtain good-quality treatment without financial difficulty remains an important concern.
