13th May, 2024: HDFC Bank Parivartan share’s the powerful stories of transformation that are helping in shaping the next generation of India’s healthcare workforce. While growing at around 22% CAGR, India’s healthcare sector continues to face shortages of trained medical professionals, especially nurses. An estimate by Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy (CDDEP) in the US suggests that India faces a shortage of 2 million nurses, ranking 75 out of 133 countries in nurse density. Jharkhand particularly lacks nurses compared to other states.
HDFC Bank Parivartan has supported three Nursing Kaushal Colleges in partnership with PanIIT Alumni Reach for India Foundation in Jharkhand. Nursing Kaushal College, an autonomous ITI/ANM Nursing Model, was specifically designed to serve marginalized youth, including those from SC, ST, OBC, and remote districts across Jharkhand. Focused on skill development and employability, through this program 1552 women have been enrolled, embarking on a journey towards self-reliance and empowerment. Remarkably, 99.9% of these beneficiaries have not just passed but excelled in their state exams, securing distinction with multiple state rank positions across years —an affirmation of their dedication and the project’s efficacy. 94% of students who passed their 2nd-year state exams received placement offers, with a median salary of Rs 19,285 per month.
Varsha Kumari from Chanho, Jharkhand, is a shining example of this program’s success, reflects on her journey from Jaldega village, a backward village in Jharkhand where her mother was the sole earning member relying on 10acres of farming land to securing Rank 1 in State Nursing Exam and getting employed with Apollo homecare, Kolkata. After working at Apollo Homecare for 2 years, she has now moved back closer to her home and mother and works with The Hans Foundation in Ranchi, where she serves as a community nurse with pride. “The program has been a life-changing event for me,” she shares. “Now, I am able to provide timely financial support to my family. I have seen my mother struggle and am glad that I have been able to reduce her burden through this job. Nursing is a noble profession, and I am determined to excel in it.”
This initiative has empowered women with invaluable nursing skills tailored to meet market demands and is aligned to HDFC Bank’s CSR goal of imparting skill development and livelihood generation opportunities to 10000 women in Nursing by 2025.
Ms. Nusrat Pathan, Head CSR, HDFC Bank emphasized, “HDFC Bank Parivartan’s vision is to drive sustainable progress in society. We see quite often that lack of access to good quality vocational training leads to a situation where youth from marginalized communities are pushed to take up informal and unskilled jobs, which severely affects their earning potential. Demand-led skilling is imperative if India has to capitalize on its demographic dividend. By imparting education and skills training to these aspiring young women, we are proud partners in their journey to break free from the vicious cycle of poverty. Through vocational degrees and placement programs, we are addressing the critical need for skilled nursing professionals in Jharkhand, nurturing a generation of change-makers.”
To ensure the success of the Nursing Kaushal College project, HDFC Bank Parivartan along with its project partners, has provided comprehensive support, including infrastructure development, modern training facilities, industry-relevant curriculum, faculty training, and industry partnerships for internships and placements.
Mr. T Kalyan Chakravarthy, Executive Director PanIIT Alumni Reach for India Foundation said, “We have students like Alma Xalxo, who came from economically deprived backgrounds. Her family’s annual income was just Rs.36000. To make ends meet, the family depended on livestock and farming, supporting nine members. After completing our training program, she secured a job at Apollo Homecare with an annual income of Rs. 1,88,724, more than four time increase in her family’s income. This showcases the transformative impact of our Nursing Kaushal College program.”
