Australian Minister woos Indian healthcare sector to meet shortage of skilled medicos in W Australia

Expressing optimism about her mission, 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.

#WATCH | Chennai: On Tamil Nadu health sector, Australian Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says, "It has been a fantastic trip, seeing a range of health facilities in Chennai with MGM Hospital, Calvary Hospital, the Apollo Group, the Madras Medical College and meetings with… pic.twitter.com/kuOIlHUeA7

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2024

• Minister Sanderson’s mission boosts Western Australia-India healthcare ties, showcasing opportunities at health skilling symposium organized in partnership with the Apollo Group
• She underscores the ongoing collaboration with the Tamil Nadu government and reaffirms the commitment of the West Australian government to strengthen ties
• Tamil Nadu, with its distinction of housing the third-highest number of medical colleges in India, stands as a beacon of advanced healthcare facilities in the country
• Minister Sanderson emphasizes 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.

Speaking with navjeevanexpress.com, Minister Sanderson said, “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.”

Recruiting additional healthcare workers is a key priority for the Western Australia Government, with forecasts predicting WA will need an additional 5,000 FTE doctors and nurses by 2033. The mission, which began in Chennai on Thursday, 22 February 2024, showcased Western Australia as a destination for health workers and students in these fields to live, work and study.

During the mission, Minister Sanderson held important meetings with distinguished figures, including  Ma. Subramanian, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, and  Gagandeep Singh Bedi, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Health, and Family Welfare Department.

The Minister also participated in an Invest and Trade Business Luncheon, held in partnership with FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry), accompanied by the official delegation and representatives from the healthcare sector. These discussions facilitated fruitful exchanges and cooperation within the industry, paving the way for enhanced collaboration between WA and India.

Spokesperson Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA, Minister for Health; Mental Health – Government of Western Australia shared her views on launching the Kauvery Hospital cervical cancer program –

“It was an honour to launch the cervical cancer screening program this morning at Kauvery Hospital. The program aims to significantly reduce the impact of cervical cancer for women in Tamil Nadu. It is the second leading cause of cancer amongst women in the state and it is entirely preventable. With early detection, screening and vaccination it can be eradicated. I want to commend the team at Kauvery hospital and the clinicians who have passionately led this program to see the light of the day. Wishing them all the best and congratulating them as this is the step in the right direction to help Women.”

Tamil Nadu, with its distinction of housing the third-highest number of medical colleges in India, stands as a beacon of advanced healthcare facilities in the country.

The Health Skilling Symposium in Chennai, organized in partnership with the Apollo Group, played a crucial role in showcasing Western Australia’s healthcare opportunities to potential skilled migrants. This symposium not only highlighted job prospects but also underscored the government support available to assist skilled migrants in building a rewarding life in Western Australia.

The mission to Chennai sought to raise awareness of Western Australia’s capabilities in health and life sciences, fostering new avenues for collaboration and talent exchange between the two regions. It aimed to promote Western Australia as a premier destination for living, working, and studying, while also facilitating investment, trade, and joint ventures between Western Australia and India.

A significant highlight of the mission was Minister Sanderson’s keynote address at the Valedictory of Umagine Chennai 2024, a prestigious global technology, entrepreneurship, and skills summit. This two-day conference served as Asia’s premier platform for fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent development, further enhancing the ties between Western Australia and India.

Reflecting on the engagements in Chennai, Minister Sanderson remarked, “Over the past five years, our commitment to supporting WA’s healthcare system has been evident as our Health Medical Life Sciences ecosystem doubled in size from 2017 to 2022. India has a strategy to produce high quality healthcare workers in numbers greater than they need for their own healthcare system, with a view to facilitating migration elsewhere, and we want to make sure WA is their number one choice. By leveraging India’s commendable strengths in education, skills, and global connectivity, Western Australia stands poised to address its skills shortage needs effectively. This mission will be beneficial for both Western Australia and India, with a chance to showcase our internationally recognised research base and entrepreneurial talent.”