Virohan Leads Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue to Bolster Allied Healthcare Workforce for Viksit Bharat 2047
In a significant move to address critical gaps in India's healthcare system, Virohan, a prominent leader in healthcare education, organized a closed-door multi-stakeholder roundtable titled "Allied & Healthcare for Viksit Bharat 2047." The event took place at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi on March 13, 2026, and was conducted in collaboration with India House, a policy-focused think tank, and Pahle India Foundation (PIF), a non-profit dedicated to public health initiatives.
Gathering of Healthcare Ecosystem Experts
The roundtable brought together over 60 distinguished experts from diverse sectors of the healthcare landscape. Key participants included government officials, healthcare providers, academic institutions, industry bodies, and civil society representatives. Notable attendees were Mr. Kamal Pant, Chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Allied Healthcare Council; Dr. Amit Patel, Committee Member of NCAHP and Gujarat State Allied Healthcare Council; and Dr. Prasad VG, Commission Member of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP).
Healthcare providers such as Manipal Hospitals, Metropolis Healthcare, Bloom IVF, Oncquest Laboratories, and Mahajan Imaging & Labs contributed their insights. Academic institutions like AIIMS Delhi, Symbiosis University, GD Goenka University, GGS Indraprastha University, BBD University, CMR University, and Bennett University were also represented. Industry bodies and associations, including the Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), NATHEALTH, ASSOCHAM, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), participated actively. Additionally, social sector leaders like Dr. Kshama Metre, a Padma Shri awardee, Rajendra Gupta, former member of the World Health Organization, and Dr. Ananth Pandhare from the Indian Red Cross Society, enriched the discussions.
Focus on Workforce Capacity and Regulatory Implementation
The dialogue centered on three core areas: workforce capacity, regulatory implementation, and institutional readiness. Participants identified practical solutions to strengthen the allied and healthcare workforce, which forms the backbone of India's healthcare delivery system. Dr. Indu Bhushan, former CEO of the National Health Authority, set the context by emphasizing that healthcare relies on a broad workforce beyond doctors and nurses. He highlighted that allied health professionals (AHPs) are a critical yet often overlooked layer, facing challenges in training infrastructure and regulatory framework implementation despite the progress made by the NCAHP Act, 2021.
Addressing Workforce Shortages and Opportunities
Nalin Saluja, Co-Founder and CTO of Virohan, pointed out the global healthcare workforce shortage of nearly 20 million workers, with India accounting for approximately 11 million of this gap. Of this, about 6.3 million positions are related to AHPs. He noted that while this shortage poses a significant challenge, it also presents a major opportunity to build a more skilled and robust healthcare workforce in India.
Enhancing Recognition and Career Progression
Sh. Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Government of Meghalaya, stressed the need for greater institutional recognition of allied and healthcare professionals. He mentioned that these roles remain resilient to AI-led disruption and emphasized the importance of fair compensation, structured capacity-building, and sustained investment in training ecosystems. Kumar also highlighted rising global demand for healthcare workers, citing emerging models like care economy hubs that aim to create sustainable workforce pathways.
Integrating Technology into Healthcare Roles
Ms. Indrani Laskar, Additional Secretary of the Government of Assam, discussed the growing intersection between healthcare and emerging technologies. She highlighted the increasing use of artificial intelligence in areas such as cancer detection, tuberculosis diagnosis, and assistive technologies. Laskar stressed the need to equip AHPs with digital skills, given their role as the first point of contact in communities. She also called for clearer job definitions and professional hierarchies at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) level to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Pathway to Viksit Bharat 2047
The roundtable concluded with a shared consensus that building a skilled healthcare workforce is central to achieving the health vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. This dialogue serves as a precursor to an upcoming comprehensive report by Virohan, titled "Allied & Healthcare for Viksit Bharat 2047," scheduled for release in June 2026. The report aims to provide a detailed assessment of the sector and outline strategies to enhance workforce development, training capacity, and institutional frameworks in India.
The discussions underscore the pivotal moment for the allied healthcare sector, especially with the NCAHP Act, 2021 reshaping regulatory structures and the recent Union Budget allocating ₹1,000 crore for workforce training, signaling strong policy momentum towards strengthening India's healthcare infrastructure.
