the agreement. The healthcare sector has grown as a major industry on a global scale, employing millions of people and addressing issues related to skilled manpower shortages generated by the pandemic, as well as the continued rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and an aging population.
The care sector accounts for 11.5 percent of the worldwide workforce, with 381 million caregivers, involving 65 percent women and 35 percent men. The International Labor Organization (ILO) anticipates an increase of 117 million care jobs by 2030. Hence, Pearson’s partnership with Apollo will give the industry an essential boost and help the healthcare employees to develop relevant skill capabilities.
Dr P Srinivasa Rao, CEO of Apollo Med Skills, expressed optimism over the partnership. He said, “The healthcare industry is still dealing with the aftershocks of COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being the largest supplier of healthcare human resources to the world, India is currently facing a shortage of skilled workforce, including allied workers and support staff. This calls for closer attention to building up their knowledge of industry trends and digital innovations through up-skilling or re-skilling programmes”.
He added, “As the use of digital solutions like telehealth, e-prescriptions or data analytics rises, training workforces in latest technology and best medical practices will be critical going forward. For this reason, we are glad to partner with Pearson who will help us build a new generation of future leaders in India’s healthcare industry.”
Siddharth Banerjee, MD of Pearson, India & Asia, spoke about the need for advanced healthcare training. He said, “The pandemic has already led to automation and advancement in healthcare, and going forward, there will be a need for skilled professionals who can understand medical equipment technology and how it can be used effectively for a patient’s diagnostic or treatment purpose. This is where the need for skilling allied health professionals comes in.”
