Australian Minister Visits India, Aims to Address Shortage of Healthcare Workers Back Home

Australian Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson is currently in India to tackle the shortage of medical professional in Western Australia.
Leading a delegation focused on health skilling and business, the Minister has actively participated in meetings with various stakeholders during her visit to Chennai, Hyderabad, Nasik, and Trivandrum from February 22 to March 2, 2024.
Expressing optimism about her trip, Minister Sanderson highlighted the productive engagements with healthcare institutions in Chennai, including MGM Hospital, Calvary Hospital, the Apollo Group, and the Madras Medical College. She underscored the ongoing collaboration with the Tamil Nadu government and reaffirmed the commitment of the West Australian government to strengthen ties.
“It has been an excellent journey, visiting a range of healthcare facilities in Chennai, including MGM Hospital, Calvary Hospital, the Apollo Group, and the Madras Medical College, as well as meetings with the Minister for Health. I will also be meeting with the CM to emphasize the commitment of the West Australian government to continued collaboration and partnership with the Tamil Nadu government,” she told ANI.
Minister Sanderson emphasized the demand for nursing, allied health, and medical professionals in Western Australia, with projections indicating a need for an additional 5,000 FTE doctors and nurses by 2033.
“We are exploring avenues with private organizations and the government on how to support nursing and medical staff to train in Western Australia and share their expertise and knowledge… There is a demand for nursing, allied health, and medical professionals, and numerous specialties are available,” she added.
The mission’s objective is to present Western Australia as an appealing destination for health workers and students to reside, work, and study.
During her time in India, the Minister held significant meetings with Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Health and Family Welfare, M Subramanian, and Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Health, and Family Welfare Department IAS Gagandeep Singh Bedi. Furthermore, an Invest and Trade Business Luncheon, conducted in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), facilitated constructive discussions and cooperation within the healthcare sector.
Recognizing Tamil Nadu’s prominence in the Indian healthcare sector, Minister Sanderson engaged with prestigious institutions, nursing colleges, and renowned hospitals. These interactions aimed to encourage dialogue, exchange best practices, and explore opportunities for collaboration in healthcare education and delivery.
Tamil Nadu, with its distinction of hosting the third-highest number of medical colleges in India, serves as a hub for advanced healthcare facilities in the country. These engagements sought to foster dialogue, exchange best practices, and explore avenues for partnership in healthcare education and delivery.