Healthy job creation

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.

- PREETHA REDDY

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.