Apollo Hospitals partners with National Skill Development Corp. (NSDC), a public-private partnership to promote skills among Indians

Apollo Hospitals has formed a subsidiary to impart healthcare-related training to 392,000 people in 10 years. NSDC has agreed to buy a stake in Apollo Med Skills Ltd., a Unit of the Apollo Hospitals Group.

The investment on the project will be around Rs. 39 crore, of which NSDC will loan Rs. 25.13 crore to Apollo Med Skills. Apollo will contribute Rs. 9.88 crore. NSDC will also buy a 27% stake in Apollo Med Skills for Rs. 3.65 crore.

Dr.K. Prabhakar, Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Med Skills, said the company is entering the sector because it realises the requirement for trained manpower. Dr.Prabhakar said the group formed the unit towards the end of 2011 and was engaged with NSDC for the partnership. “”We have now got their board approval,”” he said.

The company will train people in subjects such as medical lab technology, dialysis and non-invasive cardiac courses, radiology and imaging, and operation theatre technology. It will also train doctors and nurses to update their skills.

Ms.Sangita Reddy, executive director of operations at Apollo Hospitals, will oversee the work of the training subsidiary as a director.

NSDC representative said. “”Since they are an established player, we can expect complete commitment from them.””

The company plans to set up about 47 centres in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, Karnataka and West Bengal. “”Since, we have partnered with NSDC, we can use some government school buildings for running classes, especially in the evenings,”” Dr.Prabhakar said.

Apollo will also find jobs for the trained people in its hospitals and other healthcare centres.