Apollo Medskills launches healthcare skills centre in Chennai

Apollo Medskills, the skills training arm of Apollo Hospitals’ joint venture with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), has launched a skill development programme for doctors, nurses and paramedics.

With over 30 courses, Apollo Mediskills would provide skilling programmes for doctors and nurses.

Reportedly, the NSDC is providing a soft loan of Rs24 crore and Rs3.5 crore for 27 per cent equity stake in the joint venture, while the promoters of Apollo are pumping in 9 crore.

There are plans to set up 40 training centres in the country in 24 months. After the recently launched first centre in Chennai, the healthcare skills Centres will also come up in Patna, Shillong and Hyderabad in the running year ahead.

The training programme aims to address the shortage of trained manpower in the healthcare sector. By 2020, the country needs 14 million medical professionals.

Commenting on the matter, Sangita Reddy, Executive Director – Operations, Apollo Hospitals told mediapersons, “We will use a lot of electronic aids in teaching. The programme will use video lectures and simulators to enhance learning in a painless way.”

The programme will train paramedics in laboratory service, radiology and theatre technology. It will also offer courses in support services such as patient care, bedside care, wardadministration, medical coding and housekeeping. Skill upgradation courses for nurses (in wound care and IV therapy) and doctors will also be provided.

As per the recent figures unveiled by the World Health Statistics, India has a doctor to population ratio of 0.5:1000 in comparison to 0.3:1000 in Thailand, 1.6:1000 in China and 5.5:1000 in the US.

Moreover, the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) has estimated a shortage of 6.4 million allied health professionals in India.