Parliament Question: Expansion of allied health professional institutions

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3642 TOBE ANSWERED ON 24THMARCH 2026 EXPANSIONOFALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALINSTITUTIONS 3642.SHRINEERAJ SHEKHAR: Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased tostate: (a) whether Union Budget 2026 proposes for expansion of allied health professional institutions andtraining1.5lakh multi-skilled caregivers; (b) if so, the detailsthereof,State-wise; and (c)the detailsof allocation for the same, State-wise? ANSWER THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a) to (c) : Government of India announced in Budget 2026-27 to upgrade the existing institutions for Allied HealthProfessionals (AHPs) and also to establish new AHPInstitutions in private and Government sectors covering 10 selecteddisciplines, including optometry, radiology, anesthesia, OT Technology, Applied Psychology andBehavioural Health and add 100,000 AHPs over the next 5 years. The key strategy for achieving the aforementioned Budget announcement are upgradation of existing allied health institution, addressing faculty shortages, standardizaiton of curricula, increasing awareness, imparting training, stake- holdersconsultationetc. Further, it has also been announced in the union budget 2026-27 to build a strong Care Ecosystem, covering geriatric and allied care services and to develop a variety of NSQF- aligned programmes to train 1.5 lakh multiskilled caregivers combining core care and allied skills, such as, wellness, yoga and operation of medical and assistive devices. In this regard, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has informed that it is developing a detailed plan broadly factoring in formulating a structured caregiver career pathway, with standardized training curriculum and multi-skilling modules; training of trainers to ensure the availability of sufficient pool of qualified trainers to ensure quality of training delivery; using the apprenticeship route as an opportunity for practical training of candidates utilising the network of hospitals, industries andinstitutions in thissector; working with respective State/ UT governments; developing a network of credible training infrastructure utilising ITIs, Healthcare providers, training institutions for quality training of candidates; and making the data of skilled care professionals available on Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). *****