Trained allied health professionals can help address doctor shortage, says expert

Bengaluru: Trained allied health professionals can help address the problem of doctors' shortage in India and healthcare access without compromising on quality, head and neck oncologist and robotic surgeon Dr Vishal Rao said on Friday. 

Delivering the keynote address at AHSCON 2025, a national conference for Allied Health Sciences and Physiotherapy, he noted that the use of AI, besides optimal use of resources, is changing the future of healthcare. 

"Now with technology going hand-in-hand or, rather, taking the lead, we may not require a doctor everywhere. We may have technology, technicians and therapists working together to bridge this gap and, overall, improve access to healthcare,” he said. He also encouraged the students in the crowd to focus on healthcare research to improve patient outcomes. 

The two-day conference was organised by the Karnataka Allied Health Professionals Association (KAHPA), at the School of Advanced Studies, S-Vyasa University, Bengaluru.

Dr Thuppil Venkatesh was awarded the KAHPA Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Dr Alexander Thomas, president, Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), emphasised the need for more such events to sensitise people that the healthcare system goes beyond just doctors and nurses. 

Former deputy chief minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan inaugurated the conference. Dr C Venkata S Ram from Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, was also present. 

On Saturday, the conference will feature panel discussions and research presentations, with over 60 speakers covering various allied health topics.