Nearly one-third of medical professionals working with United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) are of Indian-origin, said doctors and experts at an event held in the city on Thursday to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS.
According to experts, there are currently more than 18,000 Indian nationals working in the organisation – the largest non-British staff group by far.
“As we celebrate the NHS’ 70th anniversary, this is a chance to reflect on the extraordinary contribution of Indian medical professionals to the NHS over seven decades and the close links that exist between our two healthcare systems. It is also an opportunity to celebrate future collaboration,” Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, Hyderabad.
According to estimates, integrated healthcare system of the NHS treats at least one million patients every 36 hours.
“More than a third of all NHS doctors are of Indian origin. Although the number of Indian-origin doctors, nurses and medical staff serving with the NHS has remained fairly flat over the past few years, numbers are expected to see a huge increase now that the UK government has decided to ease immigration cap,” said Ed Rose, former advisor to the chief executive of the NHS.
Dr P Raghu Ram, director KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases who also served for over 10 years with NHS in UK also pointed out that India continues to be one of the largest contributors of the NHS medical fraternity.
