Careers in improving public health

Ranjan K Baruah *

There is a common saying which is always true and important and the saying is none other than “health is wealth”. Health is most important for all of us for which health care has been important around the world. Since the foundation of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, the world has experienced public health challenges that have required us all to come together with science, solutions and solidarity.

World Health Day (WHD) is observed on 7th April around the world and the WHO has observed its 75th anniversary this year. In 1948, countries of the world came together and founded WHO to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health and well-being.

There is an opportunity to plan a career related to health care in India and abroad, we should know that the healthcare market in India is expected to reach high as it is driven by rising income, better health awareness, lifestyle diseases and increasing access to health insurance.

We should also know that as of 2021, the Indian healthcare sector is one of India’s largest employers, as it employs a total of 4.7 million people.

There is no doubt that education and healthcare have become India’s largest sectors, both in terms of revenue and employment. When it comes to healthcare then it comprises hospitals or nursing homes, medical devices, clinical trials, outsourcing, telemedicine, medical tourism, health insurance and medical equipment. In recent years we have seen the growth of health care in India.

India’s healthcare delivery system is categorised into two major components - public and private. The Government, ie public healthcare system, comprises limited secondary and tertiary care institutions in key cities and focuses on providing basic healthcare facilities in the form of primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in rural areas.

The private sector provides a majority of secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care institutions with major concentration in metros or city areas.

India's competitive advantage lies in its large pool of well-trained medical professionals. India is also cost competitive compared to its peers in Asia and western countries. The cost of surgery in India is about one-tenth of that in the US or Western Europe.

It brings opportunities for young people to work in the health care sector. Health care is not only limited to doctors or nurses.

The list of the various healthcare/ medical career options in India is a long one as there are hundreds of options in this sector. Options and opportunities : Audiology, Ayurveda, Dentist, Homeopathy, Medical Lab Technologist.

Microbiology, Naturopathy, Patient Care, General Duty Assistant, Nutritionist/ Dietician, Ophthalmologist, Orthopedics, Optometry, Occupational Therapist, Pathology, Pharmacist, Physiotherapist, Psychiatrist, Radiography, Speech Therapy, Sports Medicine, Veterinary Science, etc .

For careers in the field of health care, science subjects are needed. To appear in entrances for medical colleges or nursing colleges one needs to have Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Diploma in paramedics also needs science subjects but there are few courses like ANM nursing which may be done by students from any stream.