NHS recruiting 2000 doctors will lead to severe brain drain, IMA comes out opposing recruitment drive

The NHS, the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK, has launched an initiative to recruit doctors from India swiftly. As part of this initiative, the NHS has established several training centres in collaboration with private institutions across India. While the UK's efforts to address its healthcare workforce shortage are commendable, IMA's decision to abstain from participating in the NHS recruitment drive underscores the association's commitment to bolstering the Indian healthcare sector and supporting the career prospects of local medical graduates.

While talking to Medical Dialogues, Dr RV Asokan stated," We were not approached by NHS directly. However, they have held several meetings with ministers and we were also approached by people on behalf of the NHS. As we are not in direct contact with the UK's NHS, we don't know what they are willing to offer. However, we have declined to participate in any such drive where skilled professionals are exported from India. If NHS wants senior doctors who are already trained and skilled, we will not accept their offer."

"We would have been interested if the NHS would ask for young graduates from India. But the category in question is well-paid and much needed. Hence, we can’t allow the brain drain. The interest of the country is of utmost importance to us," he added. Pointing out that India will have more than one million doctors in the next 10 years coming out of 706 medical colleges, IMA stated that for young graduates it might consider jobs abroad.

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