SEMINAR ON HEALTH SKILLS

Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, a constituent of the Symbiosis International University (SIU) organised a Seminar on health skills on 16^th Feb 2016.

The Chief Guest for the event was Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Honourable Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India.  Padma Bhushan Dr S. B Mujumdar, Founder & President, Symbiosis, Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Principal Director, Symbiosis, Dr. Rajani Gupte, Vice Chancellor of the Symbiosis International University, Dr Rajiv Yeravdekar, Dean FoHBS, SIU, Mr Ashish Jain, Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) and Ms Shubnum Singh, Chief Executive, Max Institute of Health Education and Research were present on the occasion.

Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy mentioned that if 500 million young population of the country has to get employment opportunity there is a need to make skills training aspirational. The country's economy needs people with operative skills and we must send a message that acquiring a skill - which does not take a very long time - is guarantee to a reasonably well paying job.

Mr Rudy said for a long time India's policy laid a great stress on education thus making higher education aspirational as a way to find employment. Most investments were thus made in education with very little coming to skills training. "We created post graduates and doctorates who can't drive a nail into a wall or don't know how to apply first aid to a persons who has met with an accident," Mr Rudy said, adding that even in the skills training areas that available barely eight or nine with a mandate to ensure employment in government factories attract the most number. 

Referring to the healthcare sector Mr Rudy said there are reasonably good facilities for education and training of doctors, paramedics or nursing staff but there is no provision to train dozens of other areas of work where healthcare sector needs staff. 

The government has now defined 6700 national occupational standards and is in the process of determining the parameters for training, evaluation and certification for these occupations, Mr Rudy said. "There is demand for a variety of skills across the world. Make in India will not come through if we don't create 'Makers in India," Mr Rudy added.

Dr S. B. Mujumdar Chancellor, SIU said India with its young population has an edge over other countries where population is aging. "This demographic opportunity will convert into demographic dividend if we create a strong base of skills training," Dr Mujumdar said.

Dr Yeravdekar in his introductory remarks elaborated on the present and proposed facilities for healthcare sector skills training at the Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences.

Hon’ble Minister interacted with various stakeholders viz. hospital, medical devices & equipment, NGOs, training partners, Home healthcare providers, representatives of National bodies, members of the various professional bodies, research organizations etc.

Around 450 delegates comprising of healthcare professionals, service providers, representative medical equipment's and devices producing companies, beneficiaries and policy makers from across the country participated in the event.