Important to address shortage of qualified professionals in Indian healthcare: Report

New Delhi, November 5 (IANS). A report has revealed that to promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country, India will have to overcome the shortage of qualified professionals in the healthcare sector.

The report by KPMG in India in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has talked about the urgent need to reform India's healthcare system.

Dr Anna van Poeck, Global Head of Healthcare, KPMG International, said, “India's healthcare landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, emerging as a beacon of innovation on the global stage. The government's call for Universal Health Coverage With commitment, we are taking a proactive approach to ensure that healthcare is not just a privilege for the few but a right for all.”

“However, as India adapts to this development, it needs to focus on developing a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of modern healthcare,” Van Poeck said.

The report emphasized the vital role of medical education in addressing the shortage of qualified professionals and analyzed the evolution of the Indian healthcare ecosystem over the last thirty years.

The report emphasized on affordability, accessibility and availability and said that all three are important for health services.

Despite initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Yojana and National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), the country faces challenges such as shortage of qualified doctors and inequality in medical education.

The report also touched upon key challenges such as workforce shortage, geographical disparities and lack of research and compliance issues.

It recommends strengthening PG medical education, enhancing quality, improving access to less popular specialties, expanding alternative PG programs and promoting research and innovation.

Lalit Mistry, Partner and Co-Head Healthcare, KPMG in India, called for the transformation of postgraduate medical education in India through modernizing the curriculum, enhancing practical training and ensuring equitable access across all areas and specialisms.

–IANS

MKS/GKT

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