India’s Healthcare Talent Drives Global Migration: A Call to Action

India’s healthcare professionals are increasingly sought after globally, with a significant number of doctors and nurses migrating to developed countries. Recent data indicates that in the years 2020-2021, approximately 75,000 doctors and 120,000 nurses left India to practice abroad, according to the International Migration Outlook 2025 report by the OECD. This trend highlights both the demand for skilled healthcare workers internationally and the challenges faced in India’s domestic medical infrastructure.

The report underscores two important points. First, the migration of healthcare professionals has been a consistent trend, especially since the early 2000s. Developed economies rely on this influx of talent to address the challenges posed by an ageing population and the increasing demand for healthcare services. In fact, nearly 25% of doctors in OECD countries are migrants, showcasing the critical role that international professionals play in these healthcare systems.

Secondly, nations are recognizing that protectionist policies against migration may not serve their interests. Countries are adapting their policies to actively recruit healthcare workers from nations like India. For example, a Belgian initiative aims to recruit and train Indian nurses for its healthcare system, particularly in geriatric care. The two-year training program begins with a course in Kerala, where participants also learn Dutch. Similar efforts are seen in government-to-government recruitment agreements with England and Ireland. By 2023, over half of Ireland’s nursing workforce had been trained abroad, with a significant number of Indian nurses contributing to the sector.

Despite this high global demand for Indian medical professionals, the domestic outlook remains concerning. Factors such as the quality of education in both government and private medical colleges, where many institutions prioritize profit over education, are impacting the system. Issues like exorbitant capitation fees, questionable merit-based admissions, and inadequate infrastructure persist.

The OECD report emphasizes the urgent need for India to rectify its medical college system. A crucial step is decentralizing the all-India entrance exam, NEET, which saw over 2.4 million candidates last year. A glaring discrepancy has emerged in the registration of doctors. For instance, the NMC reported fewer than 150,000 registered doctors in Tamil Nadu, while the state council recorded over 200,000. Similarly, in Delhi, the NMC listed fewer than 31,500 doctors, contrasting with over 72,600 in council data from 2020. The absence of clarity regarding the whereabouts of around 40,000 doctors raises further concerns.

In addition to registration issues, there is a significant urban-rural divide in healthcare infrastructure and staffing. The persistent inattention to these challenges means that India is not fully leveraging its potential as a premier healthcare destination. Ranked 10th globally, India’s medical tourism market is projected to reach $58 billion by 2035, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. In 2024, over 640,000 medical tourist visas were issued, highlighting the attractiveness of India’s healthcare services.

Despite these advantages, fragmented care, rising distrust in private hospitals due to overcharging, unnecessary procedures, and inadequate follow-up care remain significant hurdles. Addressing these issues is essential for India to enhance its reputation as a leading destination for medical tourism and to ensure that the talents of its healthcare professionals are utilized effectively within the country.

To capitalize on the global demand for medical professionals, India must take decisive action to improve its healthcare infrastructure and educational systems. Only then can the nation fully realize its potential as a top healthcare provider on the world stage.