Allied Health Sciences: Booming Courses, Career Scope Post COVID
There are many Allied Health Sciences courses in India which have gained popularity post COVID. More about Allied Health Science courses through our interview with Dr. Somnath Ghosh Associate Professor & HoD, Department of Allied Health Science, Brainware University
As India crawls its way back to normalcy after the deadly second wave of Covid, students are now gearing up to see how the situation unravels itself with their aspirations of higher education and career prospects. The outbreak of the Covid pandemic forced most students to put their education and career dreams on hold. What we need to understand is that the post-Covid era will bring in its own set of rules vis-a-vis education and career aspirations. There are many Allied Health Sciences courses in India that have gained popularity post COVID. Find out about booming Allied Health Science/ Paramedical courses here along with their career prospects.
The pre-Covid decade was one of many surprises. From an upsurge in unorthodox career domains to shattering stereotypes, and an increase in the portfolio of career options, today, there is a challenge to survive, and re-evaluate our career choices and opt for ‘future-proof’ choices.
One of the sectors that we have come to appreciate and respect even more is Healthcare. While doctors were always considered in high regard, the demand for nurses, pharmacists, and paramedical or allied health staff is at an all-time high today. As our medical ecosystem is yet to recover from the rude shock of the importance of having more medical technicians and medical professionals, it is a silver lining for the Allied Health, Pharmacy, and Nursing community. There are a number of paramedical/ allied health science courses that you can pursue after class 12.
In this article, CollegeDekho interviewed Dr. Somnath Ghosh Associate Professor & HoD, Department of Allied Health Science, Brainware University, Kolkata who gave us perspective into why studying, investing, and pursuing these lesser considered allied health options has suddenly become very important globally.
CollegeDekho: There has always been a shortage of paramedical staff in India. How do you think it impacted the COVID care facilities at hospitals at large?
Dr. Somnath Ghosh: The health care services and systems in India are still developing and have challenges of poor infrastructure, quality of care, and shortage of paramedical staff. Paramedical workers who are responding to a global health crisis trying to protect individuals, families, and communities in adverse situations with stretched resources, shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and other equipment have found themselves as unexpected targets in the fight against COVID-19 which impacted the COVID care facility at the hospital. The paramedical staff has to make difficult decisions every day. It starts from initial assessments in OPD to seriously ill patients. So due to shortage of staff, all the works gets delayed. There were shortages of testing supplies and extended waits for test results in hospitals. The hospitals reported that they were unable to keep up with COVID-19 testing demands because they lacked paramedic staff.
CollegeDekho: In a pre-covid age, Paramedical courses were always considered secondary mainstream medical courses like MBBS, BDS, Pharmacy, Nursing, etc. What do you think the status will be going forward?
Dr. Somnath Ghosh: The status will definitely change after the pre-Covid era, now students will be more interested in pursuing a paramedical course or Allied Health course. A paramedic is a highly trained and skilled medical professional who is educated to carry out some of the duties of a physician. Paramedics are typically utilized as emergency care practitioners on ambulances or on first response emergencies as already proved in COVID.
CollegeDekho: Tell us about some of the new-age paramedical courses?
Dr. Somnath Ghosh: Some of the new-age paramedical courses are as follows:
- Bachelor of Radiation Technology
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- B.Sc. in Dialysis Therapy
- B.Sc. in Operation Theatre Technology
- B.Sc. in Nuclear Medicine Technology
- B.Sc. in Medical Imaging Technology
- B.Sc. in Medical Record Technology
- B.Sc. in Anesthesia Technology
- B.Sc in Critical Care Technology
CollegeDekho: What are the paramedical degrees offered at Brainware University?
Dr. Somnath Ghosh: Department of Allied Health Science, Brainware University runs 5 programs; B.Sc. MLT, B.Sc. MRIT, Bachelor of Optometry,B.Sc. Physician Assistant & Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Two more programs will be added academic session 2021 – 22, namely B.Sc in Critical Care Technology and B.Sc. in Operation Theatre Technology
CollegeDekho: Are there entrance tests conducted for admission to paramedical courses in India? (What is the admission process at Brainware University?
Dr. Somnath Ghosh: Govt. and Private Institutions have their own entrance examination procedure for admission of students. Brainware University has a Brainware Entrance Test for the admission of students.
CollegeDekho: As an expert, how do you think the paramedical ecosystem will work out in a post-Covid world?
Dr. Somnath Ghosh: The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the fragile healthcare system of the country. It has put the focus back on multiple challenges being faced by the health sector shortage of paramedic staff. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of paramedical professionals.
CollegeDekho: Why should a student opt to study Paramedical, instead of the conventional medical courses?
Dr. Somnath Ghosh: Paramedical courses are job-oriented academic programs. Paramedical courses teach an individual and change them into competent health care workers. There is an increasing realization of the significance of paramedical personnel in the health sector, Health care delivery systems are undergoing fast changes and the demand for expert paramedical personnel is on the rise. This, in turn, has increased the demand for Paramedical courses in recent times.
CollegeDekho: What career path can paramedical students expect at the end of their course? What is the demand within India and abroad?
Dr. Somnath Ghosh: One can establish his/ her career as a paramedic after attaining a bachelor’s degree, diploma, or postgraduate degree. Paramedics in India tend to get a higher salary if they have completed a bachelor’s degree along with a certification. Apart from being jobs, there is various scope for going higher studies, or in the industry also.
CollegeDekho: Can a student with a paramedical degree from India pursue a career abroad?
Dr. Somnath Ghosh: Yes. Students can pursue their careers abroad with a decree following the norms of the particular country. However, having an additional degree from
CollegeDekho: Is it mandatory to get a degree in paramedics from abroad if a student wants to build a career abroad?
Dr. Somnath Ghosh: No it’s not mandatory; however, a degree from India can help get a job abroad.
Top Allied Health Science Colleges in India
Have a look at some of the top Allied Health Science colleges in India here. To know more about the colleges mentioned above or apply for admissions, simply fill out our common application form.