LONDON (Diya TV) — Amidst a severe shortage of medical professionals, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to bolster its ranks. The program aims to recruit 2,000 doctors from India, providing a fast-track pathway for Indian medical professionals seeking international opportunities.
Under this initiative, the NHS will conduct tailored postgraduate training for the recruited doctors, lasting between 6 to 12 months. Upon completion, these doctors will be deployed to hospitals across Britain, contributing to the healthcare system while gaining valuable experience in a global setting. Importantly, they will be exempted from the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) examination, streamlining their entry into UK medical practice.
While the initiative promises to address the acute shortage of doctors in the UK, it has also sparked discussions about its potential impact on India’s healthcare system. Some experts express concerns over brain drain and the diversion of skilled medical professionals from India to the UK. However, others view it as an opportunity for Indian doctors to gain valuable international exposure and enhance their skill set.
Commenting on the initiative, Shuchin Bajaj from Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals emphasizes that the number of doctors being recruited is relatively small compared to India’s annual output of medical professionals. He highlights that the placements offered by the NHS do not guarantee permanent settlement in the UK but provide valuable experience.
Ravi Bhatke, an orthopedic surgeon associated with the NHS, acknowledges the historical reliance of the NHS on overseas doctors and underscores the importance of investing in training local medical professionals for long-term sustainability. He believes that the initiative may not significantly increase the influx of doctors from India to the UK, considering the evolving landscape of opportunities in both countries.
Despite the potential benefits of the initiative, awareness about it remains limited within the Indian medical community. While training centers have been established in major Indian cities, the initiative’s publicity efforts have been modest, leading to a lack of awareness among potential candidates.
