By Dr. Anudeep Sandhu, Director – Medical Affairs and Clinical Affairs, Terumo India Private Limited
The Indian healthcare ecosystem is on the cusp of a transformative period, driven by innovation, investments, strengthened infrastructure and an expanding workforce.
The Fifteenth Finance Commission’s recommendations and the global health agenda have spurred a notable rise in healthcare expenditure, highlighting its strategic significance. India’s health expenditure remains around 1.8% of GDP in 2025-26, with efforts ongoing to reach the 2.5% target set by the National Health Policy.
The evolution of this landscape has also been characterized by advancements in health-tech, advanced therapies, AI, coupled with improved diagnostics and the growing emphasis on preventive care, too, presents unprecedented opportunities. There remains an opportunity to fully capitalize on this potential and India needs healthcare professionals (HCPs) who are well-skilled. Medical education needs to enable the HCP to leverage the technological advancements and be at the forefront of driving innovation for India.
A Paradigm Shift
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of new healthcare technologies and practices, reshaping the industry. Telemedicine became a necessity, innovative research & development models took form and HCPs adopted hybrid healthcare delivery models; all while connected care, smart hospitals, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, precision medicine and molecular diagnostics gained momentum.
Navigating the diversifying disease spectrum, increasing disease burden and rapidly evolving technologies requires a multi-faceted approach, which is where the industry can support hospitals and HCPs.
Holistic Medical Learning: Need of the hour
Medical expertise without an understanding of other aspects of care delivery such as, patient journey, emotional intelligence, communication isn’t an effective approach anymore. Along with competence in utilising newer technologies, advanced digital tools, AI Integration, decentralised patient management etc, HCPs need to absorb elements of emotional intelligence, cultural collaboration, ethics, communication, leadership, and teamwork for a versatile and modern healthcare ecosystem that allows for a comfortable patient-physician relationship and shared decision making to deliver optimal health outcomes.
Companies like Terumo India are addressing the skills gap with an aim to improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes across the country. Launched in 2018, the Terumo India Skill Lab (TISL) is a pioneering initiative that offers simulation-based learning. This approach ensures healthcare professionals are able to continuously learn and upskill in a setting that suits their busy schedules, by combining live educational events, digital colloquium, patient information and medical education resources.
Framing a future-ready workforce
To address the evolving scenario in terms of technological innovations, digital health tools, AI, IOT, machine learning, precision diagnostics and personalised medicine it is crucial to look at the prevalent state of the healthcare infrastructure and medical education. The deciding factor for our future readiness will ultimately rest on how rapidly developing health infrastructure can be aligned with a holistic medical education system. Pertaining to the need for advancing health infrastructure and accessible healthcare, we have several existing initiatives for the HCPs like Skill India Mission, Padhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), National Health Mission, National Medical Commission (NMC) initiatives, AYUSH, Ayushman Bharat etc on board. However, with the mammoth transformation of healthcare industry today, the need to skill, reskill and upskill the healthcare workforce, calls for well-developed channels for continuing education for HCPs and Allied Health professionals (AHPs), inclusivity by bridging the gap of rural-urban medical care disparity. Public-private partnership for qualitative and quantitative improvement, widespread digitization, holistic training modules and curriculum inclusion etc.
For a healthy and sustainable future to take shape, it’s essential to strive forward with a continuous vision of innovation. The successful journey of the Terumo India Skill Lab is an example of how an organization with this approach and a group mission of ‘Contributing to Society through Healthcare’, can make a big difference.
The Union Budget for FY 2025-26 has allocated ₹95,957.87 crore to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, marking a 10.8% increase from the revised ₹86,582.48 crore in FY 2024-25. This significant rise underscores the government’s continued prioritization of healthcare.
No doubt, the healthcare sector has been a protagonist aiding India’s recent advancements in the Human Development Index through perpetual innovation and engagement of the human capital. However, a more comprehensive and futuristic medical workforce is what we need today to facilitate the demand-supply obligations of the healthcare ecosystem. Healthy living isn’t just a mere choice, rather it’s a must for us and for the sustainability of future generations. A strong-willed and skilled healthcare workforce, through a holistic medical curriculum merged with acute training opportunities can be a game changer taking us towards a healthy India.
