SonicWall Research Sounds Code Red On Healthcare Cybersecurity As Attack Rates Refuse To Decline

* New Healthcare Protect Brief reveals 13.3 million remote desktop exploitation attempts and more active ransomware families than any other tracked vertical

SonicWall today released its 2026 Healthcare Protect Brief, a vertical-specific companion to the SonicWall 2026 Cyber Protect Report, revealing that healthcare cybersecurity remains the most persistently targeted industry in SonicWall’s global telemetry, and that the gap between healthcare and every other sector is widening, not closing.

While attack volumes across most verticals declined between 17% and 56% year-over-year, healthcare recorded the smallest decline of any tracked industry. The finding is not simply that healthcare is heavily targeted - it’s because attackers are less willing to leave healthcare than anywhere else.

"Healthcare is the most targeted industry for several reasons, and none of them are accidental," said Michael Crean, SonicWall SVP of Managed Services. "What our research makes clear is that attackers have done the math. Hospitals cannot go dark; downtime is measured in patient outcomes and the pressure to pay is unlike anything in any other sector. None of that changes until healthcare stops relying on security architectures built for a world that no longer exists and starts treating Zero Trust not as a future initiative, but as the baseline they needed yesterday."

SonicWall’s Healthcare Protect Brief draws on data from SonicWall’s global network of more than one million security sensors to document the specific attack patterns, exploitation vectors and ransomware campaigns defining the healthcare threat landscape in 2026.

Key Findings from the 2026 SonicWall Healthcare Protect Brief

Healthcare recorded the smallest attack decline of any tracked vertical, just 17% year-over-year

UltraVNC buffer overflow attacks generated 13.3 million hits in five months, a finding unique to healthcare

IoT exploitation spanned 243 unique attack signatures targeting connected medical devices

Ten active ransomware families operated simultaneously against healthcare — more than any other vertical

Log4j generated 11.4 million hits despite being patched in 2021

Malware hits per firewall reached 102,209 in H1 2026 — four times the next-highest vertical

Three Problems. One Industry. No Easy Exits.

Healthcare's attack surface has three structural problems that attackers have learned to exploit with precision. Remote desktop tools (necessary for distributed clinics, telemedicine and third-party vendor access) generated 13.3 million UltraVNC exploitation attempts in the first five months of 2026 alone. When those tools are internet-exposed without layered controls and backed by VPN architectures that grant broad network access the moment credentials are validated, a single stolen login compromises the entire environment.

The Internet of Things (IoT) footprint makes it worse. Exploitation spanned 243 unique attack signatures targeting connected medical devices that cannot be patched, cannot run endpoint agents and share network segments with clinical systems. A Hikvision vulnerability from 2021 is still generating millions of detection events in 2026. Legacy vulnerabilities do not expire. Against that backdrop, ten ransomware families operated simultaneously against healthcare in the first half of 2026. That is not opportunism. It is a calculated market decision driven by one simple reality: healthcare cannot absorb downtime, and the pressure to pay is unlike anything in any other sector. "Healthcare does not have a cybersecurity problem,” continued Crean. “It has three of them, and attackers have figured out how to use all of them at the same time."

The Architecture Problem Has a Known Solution

The vulnerabilities documented in the Healthcare Protect Brief are well understood, and the controls that address them exist. What slows deployment is not the technology; it is the absence of a repeatable process for standing it up across facilities that open on compressed timelines.

SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) solves the architectural problem by applying Zero Trust principles to every access request, granting application-level access only and continuously re-verifying identity and device posture. A compromised credential no longer means a compromised network.

SonicWall partner Fornida proved that deployment at scale is achievable. Working with ExaltHealth across five operating rehabilitation hospitals and eight more in planning, Fornida embedded Zero Trust into a standardized opening playbook. It ships pre-configured with every facility's equipment package. Legacy VPN is retired facility by facility. No network rebuild required.

"What the ExaltHealth engagement taught us is that security cannot be an afterthought in a hospital opening," said Farzad Vahid, Founder and CEO, Fornida, a trusted SonicWall partner. "By the third facility, Zero Trust was built into our standard playbook. Five hospitals operating. Eight more planned. That only works if security is a system, not a fire drill."

Availability The SonicWall 2026 Healthcare Protect Brief is available at https://www.sonicwall.com/threat-report. It is the first in SonicWall’s 2026 Vertical Series, accompanying the SonicWall 2026 Cyber Protect Report released in March 2026.

About SonicWall

For more than 30 years, SonicWall has championed a partner-first model that combines purpose-built technology, cloud-delivered security services and real-time threat intelligence to help businesses prevent breaches, reduce risk and stay operational in the face of evolving modern threats. We are committed to delivering the best security outcomes for our customers where others deliver features and functions. Through its unified cybersecurity portfolio and global community of over 17,000 partners, SonicWall enables managed service providers to actively manage, continuously optimize and measurably protect networks, cloud environments, endpoints and applications. The company is redefining cybersecurity around outcomes that matter to business leaders, including breach prevention, compliance achievement, cost efficiency and reduced human error, because protection is not about what a product can do but about what it actually delivers.

Hyatt Invites Travelers Across Asia Pacific To Let Their Curiosity Reward Them With The World Of Hyatt Brand Explorer Award

* Members can earn a free night with every five unique Hyatt brands they stay with, plus enjoy limited-time savings with eligible stays

From luxury retreats to lifestyle hotspots and hotels that elevate the everyday essentials, Hyatt invites guests to explore its diverse portfolio of brands across the Asia Pacific region and be rewarded along the way.

Through the World of Hyatt Brand Explorer Award, members can earn one Free Night Award at a Category 1–4 hotel for every five different Hyatt brands they experience. Members can continue exploring and earning, with an additional Free Night Award available for every five unique Hyatt brands stayed at over the lifetime of their membership.

“The Brand Explorer Award is unique to the World of Hyatt program and is designed to reward guests as they discover the breadth of experiences across our brands. Whether traveling for leisure, business, or special occasions, guests can explore 36 unique brands under World of Hyatt, including 17 in the Asia Pacific region, catering to different travel needs and preferences,” said Tammy Ng, Vice President of Brand & Marketing, Hyatt Asia Pacific.

A Stay for Every Mood & Occasion

Hyatt’s Luxury portfolio offers exceptional experiences tailored to discerning travelers. Park Hyatt hotels present refined, residentially inspired elegance through architecture, housed world-class art, and curated immersive culinary experiences, all complemented by an intuitively personalized level of service. Alila hotels and resorts invite travelers to discover a more connected world through cultural and environmental immersion, enriching experiences, and holistic wellbeing. The Unbound Collection by Hyatt hotels are more than a compilation of independent, one-of-a-kind hotels, a thoughtful curation of stories worth collecting, whether a modern marvel, a historic gem, or a revitalizing retreat.

For travelers seeking immersive and culturally rich stays, Hyatt’s lifestyle brands present distinctive experiences inspired by local culture, creativity, and community. Andaz hotels are grounded in local surroundings and infused with local culture, designed for those with a global sensibility. Thompson Hotels are a sophisticated home base when travelling, featuring classics done with a refined sensibility and sense of style housed in an environment where culture thrives. The Standard hotels are culturally driven, known for entertainment, bold design, and convention-defying experiences to be “anything but” standard. The StandardX brand distills The Standard’s signature edge into an uncomplicated, cool hotel experience. The collection of independent JdV by Hyatt hotels is true to its namesake, joie de vivre. The properties are vibrant reflections of their surroundings, inviting guests to embrace discovery in their travels.

The Classics portfolio delivers trusted hospitality for a wide range of travel occasions, combining thoughtful service, contemporary comfort, and memorable experiences in sought-after destinations around the world. Grand Hyatt hotels bring people together through major gateway cities and resort destinations, each offering first-class accommodation, inventive dining, wellness amenities and exceptional spaces for business and celebration. Hyatt Regency properties bring people together through open, welcoming spaces and enriching experiences. The hotels and resorts deliver memorable celebrations, effortless relaxation, notable dining, and expert meetings for guests across generations and cultures. Hyatt Centric hotels are designed for exploration and discovery. Each hotel has streamlined contemporary rooms, vibrant social spaces, locally inspired dining, and expert local insight to help guests experience the best of the destination.

Designed with guest flexibility, convenience, and comfort in mind, Hyatt’s select-service brands, deliver seamless stays with practical amenities tailored to the needs of modern travelers.

Caption by Hyatt hotels are programmed to reflect each destination and its community. At the heart of each hotel is the Talk Shop: an all-day spot where guests can eat, drink, get some work done, hang out with friends, or just chill. The Unscripted by Hyatt brand was created for travelers who appreciate the essentials and love discovering the unexpected. They are a collection of independent hotels each with its own personality and local flavor, catering to those who prefer spontaneity and flexibility. Hyatt Place hotels combine style, innovation and 24/7 conveniences to create an easy to navigate experience for today’s multi-tasking traveler. Guests can look forward to guestrooms featuring distinct zones for sleep, work and play, and free flowing social spaces for seamless transitions from work to relaxation. Hyatt House properties welcome those seeking spacious and well-equipped living accommodations with everything they need and more for a short-or-long-term stay. The brand delivers home-like amenities with purposeful service and contemporary spaces. The UrCove brand is built specifically to meet preferences and growing expectations in Mainland China for a seamless, comfortable and premium travel experience for both business and leisure.

The Brand Explorer Campaign is designed to inspire World of Hyatt members and frequent travelers to experience more of Hyatt across Asia Pacific, including destinations in Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Australia, Mainland China, India, and beyond.

As travelers discover more ways to stay with Hyatt, every eligible stay at a new Hyatt brand brings World of Hyatt members one step closer to unlocking a Free Night Award. From now until August 17, 2026, World of Hyatt members can also enjoy discounts of up to 20% on club and suite rooms, and up to 15% on standard rooms at Hyatt Asia Pacific hotels, making now the perfect time to begin exploring.

For more information on savings, visit https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/promo/save-asia-pacific

For more information on the Brand Explorer Award, visit Hyatt.com/asiabrandexplorer.

About World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt is Hyatt’s award-winning guest loyalty program uniting participating locations in Hyatt’s Luxury Portfolio, including Park Hyatt®, Alila®, Miraval®, Impression by Secrets, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®; the Lifestyle Portfolio, including Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, The Standard®, Dream® Hotels, The StandardX, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, JdV by Hyatt®, Bunckhouse® Hotels and Me and All Hotels; the Inclusive Collection, including Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts , Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Sunscape® Resorts & Spas and Alua Hotels & Resorts®; the Classics Portfolio, including Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Destination by Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, and Hyatt®; and the Essentials Portfolio, including Caption by Hyatt®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios, and UrCove. Members who book directly through Hyatt channels can enjoy personalized care and access to distinct benefits including Guest of Honor, confirmed suite upgrades at time of booking, diverse wellbeing offerings, digital key, and exclusive member rates. With 58 million members and counting, World of Hyatt offers a variety of ways to earn and redeem points for hotel stays, dining and spa services, wellbeing focused experiences through the FIND platform; as well as the benefits of Hyatt’s strategic loyalty collaboration with American Airlines AAdvantage®. Travelers can enroll for free at hyatt.com, download the World of Hyatt app for android and IOS devices and connect with World of Hyatt on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. As of March 31, 2026, the Company's portfolio included more than 1,500 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 83 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes brands in the Luxury Portfolio, including Park Hyatt®, Alila®, Miraval®, Impression by Secrets, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®; the Lifestyle Portfolio, including Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, The Standard®, Dream® Hotels, The StandardX®, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, JdV by Hyatt®, Bunkhouse® Hotels, and Me and All Hotels; the Inclusive Collection, including Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid® Hotels & Resorts, Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts®, and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas; the Classics Portfolio, including Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Destination by Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, and Hyatt®; and the Essentials Portfolio, including Caption by Hyatt®, Unscripted by Hyatt, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios®, Hyatt Select, and UrCove. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt® loyalty program, ALG Vacations®, Mr & Mrs Smith, Unlimited Vacation Club®, Amstar® DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions® technology services. For more information, visit www.hyatt.com.  

Honeywell And MIT Find Digital Technologies Can Help Increase Energy Supply

* To Reduce Energy Production Cost By Tens Of Billions Annually

Honeywell analysis and MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy modeling project annual savings of up to $225 billion in production costs for oil-based fuels, $80 billion in LNG alone, by 2050, using AI-enabled technologies

Honeywell, in collaboration with the MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy, today released new research titled Accelerating Energy Expansion, which shows that digital and AI-enabled technologies can significantly reduce the cost of fuel production annually, citing applications across traditional oil-based fuels and LNG.

The report addresses three focus areas and the supporting policies needed to help achieve energy security and affordability: increasing energy supply, efficiently managing demand, and diversifying energy resources and feedstocks.

“Meeting the world’s growing energy needs will require both investment in new technologies to broaden feedstock options and more efficient use of today’s energy infrastructure,” said Ken West, President and CEO of Honeywell Process Technology. “Honeywell is helping customers apply AI, automation, digital and connected solutions to help get more out of their existing assets while also increasing reliability and throughput. The MIT analysis highlights the significant cost-reduction opportunities AI-enabled technologies can unlock in fuel production, which is top of mind for consumers and policymakers alike as we navigate increasingly complex geopolitical dynamics.”

“Energy demand is rising quickly, and many organizations are looking for practical ways to add power without waiting years for new generation to come online,” said Jim Masso, President and CEO of Honeywell Process Automation. “On-site power generation and energy storage can help operators add capacity where it’s needed most, helping to support the growing demands of AI infrastructure and reduce reliance on already stretched grids. As a result, this enables them to scale more quickly and efficiently.”

Based on Honeywell analysis and modeling by the MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy, key themes and findings revealed through the research include:
Digital Technologies, Including AI, Help Increase Energy Supply and Reduce Production Costs

Energy producers are increasingly using physical AI to improve efficiency, reliability and performance across existing infrastructure.

When applied to traditional oil-based fuels, AI-enabled technologies can reduce global annual production costs by up to $55 billion within five years of application, and up to $225 billion by 2050.

For LNG, global production costs could be reduced by $15 billion annually after applying AI-based technologies for five years, and up to $80 billion by 2050. If applied in the U.S. alone, for example, this could help reduce LNG prices by 1.1% by 2050; and, if applied globally, long-term LNG prices could be reduced by 4.5%.

Scaling Power for a New Era of Energy Demand Begins with Improving Existing Infrastructure

With rising electricity demand creating new challenges for energy infrastructure, improving the efficiency and performance of existing infrastructure may be one of the fastest ways to add available energy supply while enabling improved affordability and energy security as longer-term fuel generation projects are developed.

On-site energy production can help heavy energy users increase supply by adding power faster, improving reliability and supporting AI infrastructure growth. Conventional gas-turbine solutions for this purpose currently face permitting and equipment delays, making emerging technologies like fuel-cell-based systems more attractive, as they can be deployed quickly and with lower carbon emissions.

Intelligent energy storage technology can also help address energy demand and resilience through improving grid flexibility and reliability by managing periods of peak demand. By shifting energy to align with periods of high demand, battery energy storage can reduce the need for costly incremental grid and additional fuel generation investments while helping operators manage growing electricity loads more effectively.
Achieving Regional Energy Security by Diversifying Energy Resources with Alternative Fuels

Meeting rising energy demand and addressing energy security will require adding new sources, such as sustainable aviation fuel, to the energy mix at a faster rate.

Technology will play a central role in advancing regional energy security. By creating fuels from a broad range of local feedstocks, regions can make good use of abundantly available biomass, waste oils and non-edible crops for scalable fuel solutions.

Developing resilient regional energy infrastructure helps countries reduce reliance on imports and protects against geopolitical volatility.

The Accelerating Energy Expansion report was released at Honeywell’s 2026 Future of Energy Summit, an annual event that brings together industry leaders, policymakers and technology experts to discuss strategies for strengthening energy security, affordability and competitiveness while meeting growing global energy demand.

About Honeywell

Honeywell is an integrated operating company serving a broad range of industries and geographies around the world, with a portfolio that is underpinned by our Honeywell Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Forge platform. As a trusted partner, we help organizations solve the world's toughest, most complex challenges, providing actionable solutions and innovations for aerospace, building automation, industrial automation, process automation, and process technology, that help make the world smarter and safer as well as more secure and sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

HCLFoundation And Pearson Launch Discovery Science Center For Underserved Students in Bengaluru

* To Empower Underprivileged Students Through STEM Learning

HCLFoundation which drives the corporate social responsibility agenda of global technology company HCLTech in India, and Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L) have launched a Discovery Science Center — a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) lab to give underserved students in Bengaluru hands-on access to science and technology learning experiences.

The Discovery Science Center will provide underserved students with critical thinking, creativity and innovation skills. It will offer immersive, application-based learning experiences, supported by year-round interventions such as STEM clubs, competitions and workshops. Through these efforts, the initiative is expected to reach over 1,500 students annually, fostering curiosity, problem-solving abilities and early innovation skills.

The launch expands HCLTech and Pearson’s strategic partnership to build skills through AI-powered technology. It also builds on a similar center in Noida, which has already brought hands-on STEM learning to underserved students.

Vishaal Gupta, India Chair and President, Enterprise Learning & Skills, Pearson, said “Every student should have the opportunity to explore science and technology through hands-on-learning. This center gives students in underserved communities a place to explore, build skills and unlock what they can do. Through our work with the HCLFoundation, we’re focused on expanding access to quality learning where it is needed most.”

“This partnership demonstrates what is possible when technology expertise, the science of learning and grassroots execution come together with a shared purpose. By strengthening digital learning ecosystems and embedding inclusion at the core, we are building pathways for the most underserved learners to access quality education and build skills for the future,” said Nidhi Pundhir, Senior Vice President and Global Head, CSR at HCLTech.

Earlier this year, HCLFoundation and Pearson partnered to support 400 students in underserved communities by providing them with smart classrooms equipped with smart boards and laptops. To support inclusive and consistent learning, tailored assistive devices were provided to children with special needs, including those with visual impairments, helping them participate fully in the classroom. By extending support beyond classrooms to help children enroll in and stay in school, the initiative created a community-centric learning ecosystem that combines corporate expertise with on-ground impact.

About HCLFoundation

HCLFoundation delivers the corporate social responsibility agenda of HCLTech in India. The Foundation contributes to national and international development goals by investing in long-term sustainable programs and special initiatives with thematic focus on education, nurturing grassroots sports, health and sanitation, skill development and livelihood, environment and disaster risk reduction and response management. To ensure equitable development, child protective strategies, inclusion and gender transformative approaches are at the core of all the programs of the Foundation. To date, the HCLFoundation has positively impacted over 7.5 million lives. To learn more, visit www.hclfoundation.org

About HCLTech

HCLTech is a global technology company, home to more than 227,000 people across 60 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around AI, digital, engineering, cloud and software, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. We work with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for Financial Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Technology and Services, Semiconductor, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG, Mobility and Public Services. Consolidated revenues as of 12 months ending March 2026 totaled $14.7 billion. To learn how we can supercharge progress for you, visit hcltech.com.

About Pearson

At Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), our purpose is simple: to help people realise the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That’s why our 18,000 employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s leading lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. Visit us at https://www.pearsonplc.com 

Cleartrip Launches Creators Club To Turn Travel Inspiration Into A Commerce Flywheel

* Target to onboard 10,000+ creators by the end of 2026 

* Open for all with ‘No Minimum Follower Threshold & No Pay-Per-Post’

* Pilot programme reveals Regional creators lead the way with Telugu content among the fastest growing

Cleartrip, a Flipkart company and one of India’s fastest-growing online travel platforms, has announced the launch of Cleartrip Creators Club, a structured affiliate programme that integrates creator content directly into the booking journey, turning influence into a measurable, monetisable commerce channel.

The Cleartrip Creators Club moves away from the traditional pay-per-content model, embedding creators directly into the booking journey through a performance-based commission structure, making them partners in revenue, not just amplifiers of it. With no minimum follower threshold and eligibility determined by engagement rather than audience size, the programme is open to creators across all tiers and categories. By design, the wider the creator base, the stronger the programme gets.

Travel decisions in India are no longer made at the search bar. Social media has quietly become the most powerful distribution channel in travel, particularly for Gen Z and millennials who turn to creators for everything from destination ideas to booking decisions. Cleartrip's PeekABoo trends tracker signals that this shift is no longer limited to metros; Tier-2 markets are increasingly active in leisure travel, and creators are a primary driver of that intent.

Pallavi Saxena, Chief Marketing & Revenue Officer, Cleartrip, said, “Gen Z has fundamentally changed how travel decisions are made. The intent and inspiration for a trip now begins on a social feed, and creators are at the centre of that shift. India's next wave of travel growth will come from markets and audiences where creators hold more influence than any traditional channel. The launch of Cleartrip Creators Club gives them the infrastructure to turn every post into an income stream, and every booking into more inspiration. That flywheel is what we're building.”

A key friction-removal feature is Comment-to-DM automation: when a viewer comments "TRIP" on a creator's post, they automatically receive a pre-filled booking link and an exclusive Cleartrip coupon code in their DMs. The programme is live pan-India on Instagram and YouTube.

The programme's early results have been encouraging. Regional creators have accounted for 50% of total content pieces generated, reflecting strong localised reach across geographies. Cross-category traction has also exceeded expectations, with Beauty and Lifestyle, Food, and Deal Hack content consistently delivering engagement rates of 5% to 6%, well above industry benchmarks. The programme has also seen strong creator participation from southern states, with Telugu-language content in particular emerging as one of the more active and fast-growing segments.

About Cleartrip:

Launched in July 2006, Cleartrip Pvt Ltd., a Flipkart company, has emerged as India’s fastest-growing online travel technology company. In April 2021, Flipkart acquired a majority stake in Cleartrip. Cleartrip recently emerged as the no. 2 OTA player as per a study by VIDEC. With an aggressive plan to emerge as a leading innovator in the industry, Cleartrip is on its way to building a differentiated value proposition for its customers looking for end-to-end travel solutions. With industry-first offerings including ClearChoice Plus and ClearChoice Max, Cleartrip has a clear vision to provide innovative solutions in the OTA segment. Combining intuitive products with a customer-centric approach and a wide selection of flights, hotels, trains and buses, Cleartrip brings a unique selling point to the market, offering its customers convenience, choice, competitive prices, and premium content.

Mardamed Opens At Mantri Square Mall: Advanced Healthcare, Now Part Of Everyday Life

In a first-of-its-kind mall-based Healthcare Experience Centre, Mardamed brings MRI, CT, specialists, dentistry, pharmacy, wellness café and day procedures into a warm, retail-grade environment.

Mardamed today launched its flagship Healthcare Experience Centre (HeX) at Mantri Square Mall, Malleshwaram — a bold new model that brings serious medicine into a familiar, everyday setting. The idea is simple: healthcare should not wait for a crisis; it should be as easy to access as coffee, groceries or a weekend movie.

The centre was inaugurated by Dr. C.N. Manjunath, Member of Parliament and renowned cardiologist, in the presence of healthcare leaders, dignitaries, media representatives and the Mardamed and Mantri Square Mall teams.

Located on the second floor and spread across approximately 15,000 sq. ft., Mardamed HeX combines outpatient consultations, women’s health, pediatrics, internal medicine, ENT, ophthalmology, mental health, physiotherapy and sports medicine, dentistry, advanced diagnostics, pathology, pharmacy, a health-conscious café and mini operating theatres for selected day procedures. It is built for one practical promise: consult, test, scan, treat, recover and follow up — without running around from desk to desk or door to door.

That effort captures Mardamed’s larger belief: if healthcare is to move from reactive sick care to proactive health management, access must become easier. A mall visitor should be able to shop, eat, watch a film — and also check a symptom, complete lab tests, meet a specialist, undergo clinically advised imaging, pick up medicines and continue care online.

The centre is built with strong hygiene, safety and workflow discipline, while the experience has been designed to feel calm, clear and hospitality-led. The ambition is not to make healthcare casual; it is to make it less intimidating and easier to start early.

HeX — Healthcare Experience is Mardamed’s answer to a growing global shift toward care that meets people where they already are. The Bengaluru centre brings together medicine, retail, technology and hospitality to offer accessible, comprehensive care without hospital anxiety.

“We opened a wall and brought in cranes because healthcare must move closer to people. Mardamed is built on a simple belief: integrate healthcare in your lifestyle. Walk in for coffee if you like — but also walk out with clarity about your health. We want advanced care to feel approachable, continuous and human.” — Deepak Marda, Founder, Mardamed

Mardamed HeX is equipped with MRI, CT scan, X-Ray, Ultrasound, Mammography and pathology services, supported by specialist consultations, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, mental wellness, preventive programs, physiotherapy, and selected day procedures. Its digital platform enables appointments, online consultations, records access, follow-ups and ongoing engagement. It has a points program, Mardamed Pulse, that rewards healthy actions.

The centre serves young professionals, families, women, seniors, people managing chronic conditions and adults focused on longevity. Its public message is direct: routinely take care of health — harmful habits, breathlessness, palpitations, fatigue, skin changes, recurring pain, anxiety, or sleep issues deserve timely attention and interventions.

For journalists, policymakers, mall operators and healthcare innovators, Mardamed raises a timely question: what if the future of healthcare is not hidden behind hospital corridors, but placed in bright, familiar community spaces where people already feel comfortable?

With its first centre in Bengaluru, Mardamed hopes to prove that serious medicine and everyday convenience can coexist — and that caring for health can be hopeful, social, and even a little fun.

Proof point: To bring MRI and CT into a live mall, Mardamed coordinated with mall engineers, safety teams, and equipment specialists to cut large wall openings, including an approximately 10 ft. x 10 ft. opening for CT and MRI entry. The machines were shifted in controlled night windows using a planned 50-ton crane, before the walls were restored. Put simply: the mall opened a wall so advanced healthcare could walk in.

FRAI Urges Ministry Of Consumer Affairs To Intensify Crackdown On Illicit Trade And Counterfeit Products

* Retailers Call for Stronger Enforcement and Fair Market Practices to Protect Consumers and Safeguard Millions of Small Retailers

The Federation of Retailers Association of India (FRAI), one of the country's leading representative bodies of small retailers and traders, organised a national seminar on “Confronting Illicit Trade in Modern Markets” in New Delhi today, bringing together policymakers, industry experts, law enforcement officials, consumer advocates and retail stakeholders to deliberate on the growing threat of illicit trade, counterfeit products and unfair market practices in India's rapidly evolving retail ecosystem.

The seminar highlighted the alarming rise of counterfeit and non-compliant products across multiple categories, including food and beverages, groceries, personal care products, cosmetics, tobacco products, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, emerging nicotine delivery products, electronics and household goods. Participants expressed concern that the proliferation of illicit products through both traditional and digital channels is posing significant risks to consumer safety, weakening trust in legitimate businesses and adversely impacting government revenues.

The discussions also focused on the challenges faced by millions of small retailers who are increasingly struggling against the dual threat of counterfeit products and unfair market practices. Participants noted that genuine retailers operate within regulatory frameworks, ensure product authenticity and remain accountable to consumers, while illicit operators continue to exploit gaps in enforcement and monitoring mechanisms.

During the event, FRAI submitted a representation to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution seeking stronger policy measures to curb illicit trade and counterfeit products. The association recommended stricter enforcement against illegal products, stronger penalties for repeat offenders, greater accountability across digital marketplaces, enhanced surveillance and market inspection mechanisms, and coordinated action among enforcement agencies and regulatory authorities to protect consumers and ensure fair market practices.

Speaking at the seminar, Shri Praveen Khandelwal, Hon'ble Member of Parliament, said, "The challenge of illicit trade, counterfeit goods and smuggled products directly affects consumers, businesses and families alike. While the government is treating this issue with utmost seriousness and is committed to strengthening the legal framework, it is equally important for industry, traders and citizens to work alongside enforcement agencies. Technology can become a powerful tool in combating counterfeit products, and collective action through public-private partnership is the key to building a transparent, accountable and trusted retail ecosystem. I urge FRAI to play a proactive role by creating dedicated mechanisms to identify illicit trade and support authorities in eliminating such practices from our markets."

Addressing the gathering, Vinay Kumar, Generate Secretary, Federation of Retailers Association of India (FRAI) spokesperson said, "Illicit trade is no longer merely a commercial issue; it has become a serious consumer protection and livelihood concern. Counterfeit and illegally sourced products not only expose consumers to unsafe and substandard goods but also erode the foundations of fair competition. Millions of small retailers across the country are struggling to compete against an ecosystem where illicit products continue to circulate unchecked. We urge the government to strengthen enforcement mechanisms, enhance surveillance and accountability across marketplaces, and create a fair and transparent retail ecosystem that protects consumers while safeguarding the livelihoods of honest retailers."

Participants further observed that the rapid expansion of digital commerce and quick-commerce channels, while enhancing consumer convenience, has also created new challenges in monitoring product authenticity and supply chain compliance. The seminar stressed the need for balanced regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation while ensuring accountability and consumer protection.

The event featured keynote addresses and expert insights from policymakers, legal experts, law enforcement officials, medical professionals and consumer protection stakeholders, who collectively underscored the need for a multi-stakeholder approach to combat illicit trade and counterfeit networks operating across the country.

Concluding the seminar, FRAI reiterated that protecting consumers, preserving fair competition and safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of small retailers are critical to ensuring a healthy and sustainable retail ecosystem. The association called upon all stakeholders to work together to eliminate illicit trade and strengthen trust in India's marketplace.