IIT Kharagpur launches new healthcare training centre for rural medical workers

Commenting on the launch, Director Prof. Suman Chakraborty said the centre was designed to combine skills training with healthcare technology. He said, “The School for skills: Healthcare & Technology at IIT Kharagpur is more than a training hub — it is a catalyst for change. By combining skill development with cutting-edge technology, we aim to build a healthcare workforce that can serve the last mile, transform rural healthcare delivery, and contribute to the nation’s vision of inclusive growth.”

All courses will be conducted under the affiliation of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. On completion, participants will receive certification from the Healthcare Sector Skill Council.

Graduates will be deployed to support patient care at the Syama Prasad Mukerji Super-Speciality Hospital on the IIT Kharagpur campus, as well as in other healthcare institutions. A section of the trained workforce will also take part in field trials and the validation of healthcare technologies developed at IIT Kharagpur, contributing to systematic health data collection in rural areas of West Bengal and beyond.

IIT Kharagpur has indicated that the course offerings may expand in the coming years, with the programme expected to generate healthcare employment opportunities and widen participation for women and economically weaker sections.