Navigating India’s private healthcare system can often feel like playing a rigged game, where patients are left vulnerable, costs spiral uncontrollably, and transparency is hard to find. In her latest book, Games Hospitals Play: Decoding Your Private Healthcare Experience, veteran health journalist and policy professional Abantika Ghosh exposes the hidden mechanisms and systemic practices that allow private hospitals to turn patient care into profit.

Drawing on over two decades of experience reporting for The Times of India, The Indian Express, The Print, and The Statesman, Ghosh combines investigative rigor with field insights to unravel a healthcare system that is both highly equipped and heavily invested in revenue generation. Through detailed case studies, insider accounts, court documents, and regulatory analysis, she highlights how patients are overcharged, subjected to unnecessary procedures, and often misled by opaque pricing and insurance complexities.

The book does not only highlight problems—it also serves as a practical guide for patients. Ghosh reveals why hospital packages are structured like experiential commodities, how over-testing has become a revenue tool, and why insurance policies may fail to provide adequate protection. She equips readers with the knowledge to advocate for themselves, make informed decisions, and navigate the system safely.

Praise for the Book:

“Games Hospitals Play is an exposition of the grammar of healthcare inflation. Understanding this script is crucial for both patients and policymakers as India moves toward Universal Health Coverage.” – Amitabh Kant, Former CEO, NITI Aayog; India’s ex-G20 Sherpa

“Abantika Ghosh’s investigative storytelling provides a GPS for patients, guiding them through the pitfalls of private healthcare while preserving authenticity and readability.” – K. Srinath Reddy, Former Head of Cardiology, AIIMS; Chancellor, PHFI University of Public Health Sciences

“A courageous, insightful, and timely book that empowers patients and challenges policymakers to strengthen regulation, accountability, and trust in healthcare.” – Indu Bhushan, Former CEO, National Health Authority

About the Author:
Abantika Ghosh is a distinguished journalist and public policy expert specializing in the health sector. She has reported from remote regions across India and worked closely with government and private stakeholders, as well as public health experts. Her debut book, Billions Under Lockdown: The Inside Story of India’s Fight Against COVID-19, was longlisted for the Tata Lit Fest Non-Fiction Debut Book Award and the AutHer Awards. Ghosh lives in New Delhi with her three dogs.

Games Hospitals Play is an urgent and eye-opening read for patients, caregivers, and policymakers alike. By shining a light on the hidden practices of India’s private healthcare sector, the book not only informs but also empowers readers to take control of their own healthcare journeys.