By Preetha Reddy

I have always believed that healthcare is far more than a service. It is a social contract, a source of dignity, and one of the most powerful pathways to national transformation. While its foremost mission is to heal, healthcare also holds great potential to generate employment, foster innovation, and strengthen societal resilience. In a world of growing uncertainty, it remains one of the few sectors where purpose and profession converge to create a lasting impact on both lives and livelihoods.

Moreover, unlike industries vulnerable to automation or global market fluctuations, healthcare’s workforce demands are ever-growing, deeply local, and also globally relevant. Today, as India stands at the crossroads of economic transformation, healthcare presents a defining opportunity, one that can drive employment, enhance social equity, and reinforce the nation’s commitment to sustainable development goal 3 (good health and well-being). The challenge, therefore, is not just about filling vacancies, but also building a future-ready workforce that is skilled, resilient, and empowered to shape the next era of healthcare excellence.

Workforce development

In April, I had the privilege of attending the World Bank Spring Meetings as a member of the High-Level Advisory Council for Jobs. During the discussions, World Bank President Ajay Banga shared a compelling insight, that while 1.2 billion young people will enter the workforce over the next decade the world is on track to create only 420 million jobs. His call for scalable, inclusive solutions resonated deeply. It was a reminder that development is not just about financial aid. It is also about economic dignity, equitable opportunity, empowerment through skills, and the creation of sustainable livelihoods. As someone deeply invested in healthcare skilling, I believe this sector offers exactly that: a chance to deliver meaningful employment, bridge critical gaps, and build a healthier, more resilient world.

Only a minuscule percentage of India’s population holds formal jobs, reflecting both a challenge and an enormous potential for structured job creation. Hence, one of the most significant opportunities lies in skill development. This is important as currently, only 5.5% of India’s workforce has received formal vocational training, and many professionals, particularly in healthcare, lack hands-on exposure to real-world clinical settings. This gap presents a strategic opening — by investing in vocational training, strengthening allied health education, and integrating digital health skills, India can build a globally competitive healthcare workforce.

Unlike many other sectors, in healthcare employment is inherently local yet can be globally relevant too. Whether through primary healthcare centres in rural India or advanced hospitals in metro cities, jobs in the sector are embedded in communities. By nurturing a pipeline of skilled professionals, from nurses and paramedics to medical technicians and digital health specialists, India can address domestic needs while also positioning itself as a leader in global healthcare talent.

Upskilling to promote shared prosperity

Across the globe, models that focus on training rural women in healthcare have proven effective in making skilling more equitable. Programmes such as the Ethiopian health extension worker programme, Bangladesh’s community health worker model, and the US Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act have adopted similar strategies. These include providing government-funded training that is free and inclusive of minorities, offering stipends and ensuring trained staff are deployed within their communities. Many of these initiatives also partner with educational institutions to combine classroom-based learning with hands-on training in clinical and surgical settings. In some cases, additional support such as childcare and conveyance assistance is also provided to improve participation.

To scale up healthcare skilling in India, many more emerging and contemporary artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be integrated into national platforms such as Skill India and the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. Digital learning platforms like Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds and Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing offer a lot of potential to deliver multilingual, region-specific skilling content to a wider audience.

A sector like no other

It is also important to note that what makes healthcare stand apart is its ability to provide employment that is resilient, skill-intensive, and deeply impactful. Unlike many other sectors, where automation is rapidly altering job profiles, healthcare retains a core human element. The demand for skilled caregivers, medical practitioners, and healthcare support staff continues to rise, and technology — be it in in AI-driven diagnostics, telemedicine, or robotic-assisted surgery — only acts as an enabler rather than a disruptor.

Moreover, healthcare is one of the few sectors with the potential to significantly boost female workforce participation. While women form the majority of healthcare professionals globally, India’s female labour force participation remains at just 22.9%, representing a vast untapped resource. By addressing workplace challenges including flexible working models, access to childcare, and growth opportunities, healthcare can become a driver of inclusive employment.

Strengthening economic resilience

Investing in healthcare extends far beyond job creation, as it builds national resilience. The Covid-19 pandemic was a stark reminder of the critical role that healthcare professionals play in sustaining societies during crises. A well-trained, well-equipped workforce is not just a necessity for public health but also a pillar of national security.

The intersection of healthcare and sustainability also creates new employment pathways. With climate change, emerging roles in green hospital infrastructure, disease surveillance, and climate-resilient healthcare systems are becoming increasingly important. The potential to create jobs in these areas aligns with India’s development goals and also its commitment to a sustainable future.

India has earned global recognition as the “pharmacy of the world” — a testament to its leadership in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The next step is to establish itself as a global hub for healthcare workforce development. Beyond jobs, it is about shaping a workforce that delivers excellence in healthcare, both within and outside India.

Finally, by channelling strategic investments into employment we will do far more than bridge economic gaps. Healthcare, after all, is not just about treating illness; it is about building a thriving, empowered society where opportunity and well-being go hand in hand.

Executive vice chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group.

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