The webinar was collectively organised by The Hindu and SRM Institute of Science and Technology
At a latest webinar titled ‘Allied Health and Nursing: Backbone of Modern Healthcare,’ Helen Shaji J.C., Dean of SRM College of Nursing, highlighted the surging demand for nursing professionals in India and abroad. Dr. Shaji attributed this development to the rising burden of persistent ailments, an ageing inhabitants, and the continual enlargement of hospital infrastructure, moreover an acute scarcity of healthcare staff globally.
The occasion was held on Monday (May 11, 2026), as half of the Future Career Conversations Series, collectively organised by The Hindu and SRM Institute of Science and Technology. Dr. Shaji additionally emphasised the necessity for coverage assist for nurses, stating that the nurse-to-patient ratio is low in many establishments.
Mary Marjeri, Chief Nursing Officer at Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore, defined that whilst demand rises, there are coaching challenges that have to be addressed in nursing, particularly in gentle of the mixing of AI into healthcare. Nursing college students wrestle with ability gaps when coming into the true world, as do skilled nurses after they transfer right into a high-technology surroundings. She steered that organisations should have a strong transition-to-practice programme that gives sufficient assist and mentorship to younger nurses.
Allied well being professionals, who present important diagnostic, technical, therapeutic, and rehabilitative care, play a significant role in sustaining a collaborative and multidisciplinary healthcare system, stated D. Jagadeswaran, Dean, Allied Health Sciences, SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Chennai. Dr. Jagadeswaran expanded on the varied specialisations in allied healthcare – reminiscent of medical laboratory and life sciences, trauma care, physiotherapy, occupational remedy, and group care – and emphasised that allied healthcare professionals now not don a supporting role in the medical ecosystem, however perform as key gamers, thanks to varied authorities initiatives.
Role of AI
Rashmi Shukla, Senior Scientist in the Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics at AIIMS, New Delhi, elaborated on the role of AI in allied healthcare, stating that it empowers professionals by enhancing prognosis, optimising personalised care, and predicting outcomes to enhance total entry to healthcare. She harassed the significance of tech-driven training, and iterated that it isn’t an try to interchange professionals, however fairly to ease fatigue by handing over the repetitive workload to AI.
The session was moderated by Meenakshy S., Principal Correspondent, The Hindu.
Published – May 12, 2026 03:15 pm IST