Bengaluru: Dr Sharan Shivaraj Patil, chairman of Sparsh Hospitals, highlighted the growing potential of allied healthcare careers during a Mission Admission webinar on future-ready careers in allied health sciences. He noted that India once exported many doctors, then nurses, and now allied healthcare workers are the next big export opportunity for the nation.
Webinar Highlights: Allied Health Sciences as a Booming Sector
The webinar, hosted by The Times of India in association with the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), featured experts who discussed how a new national regulatory framework, rising demand for skilled manpower, and an increased focus on quality healthcare delivery are making allied health sciences a popular career choice.
National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021
Arun G Maiya, dean of the Manipal College of Health Professions under MAHE, explained that the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, has brought a paradigm shift in the sector. Allied health professions include technology-oriented disciplines like laboratory sciences and imaging, while healthcare professions focus on patient care such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and physician associate programmes. The commission currently oversees 10 major domains and 56 sub-domains under allied and healthcare education.
Starting from the 2026 admission cycle, 17 programmes approved by the national commission will follow a standardised curriculum across institutions. Maiya stated, "The vision is one nation, one curriculum. All institutions offering these programmes must implement the curriculum approved by the commission." The approved programmes include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, respiratory technology, optometry, dialysis technology, anaesthesia and operation theatre technology, emergency medical technology, physician associate courses, clinical nutrition, psychology, and healthcare management.
Growing Demand and Career Opportunities
Experts noted that the demand for trained allied healthcare professionals has risen sharply. Dr Sharan urged students from smaller towns and rural areas to consider allied healthcare careers, calling them a pathway to social mobility, personal growth, and nation-building. He said, "In many cases, this becomes a life-changing opportunity for students from villages and tier-2 or tier-3 towns." Ageing populations in countries like Japan and Germany are creating significant employment opportunities for Indian graduates.
Salary packages in hospitals start from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per month, with ample prospects for career growth. Dr Sharan emphasised the teamwork aspect of healthcare, stating, "Healthcare is teamwork. Many a times, patients remember the support people more than the doctor. Being in healthcare itself is the greatest privilege. It’s so fulfilling. There is a purpose when you take care of someone in pain. It also makes you better human beings. In the Western world, doctors and support staff are treated with same respect. While many doctors trained abroad follow the same practice here, that day is not far here when everyone is treated at par."
Future Projections and Government Support
Maiya added that according to the World Health Organisation’s 2016 projection, by 2030, more than 60% of the health workforce will comprise allied and healthcare professionals. He said, "The Union finance minister also highlighted that in the next five years, we need more than 1 lakh qualified and skilled allied and healthcare professionals in the country. So there is a significant demand. They have a very bright future."
