SKILL TREE AND USAID-SUPPORTED SAMRIDH JOIN HANDS TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN HEALTHCARE SECTOR

The SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Finance Facility, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IPE Global, has committed INR 5.98 Crore (USD 8,54,541) to Skill Tree Pvt. Ltd., a leading skill training organisation in India, to provide healthcare related skill development and livelihood support to 2,553 youth from remote locations across India, especially Maharashtra. The objective of this project is to motivate and train youth from marginalized sections of society, primarily women, to pursue employment and entrepreneurship in the healthcare sector as their primary career option.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed major gaps in India’s healthcare system including limited medical infrastructure, insufficient number of trained healthcare providers and unequal access to health services across geographies. This brought forth an urgent need to strengthen the health system, especially rural and remote areas.

Under the aegis of Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) and National Skill Development Cooperation (NSDC), the project will impart trainings to develop phlebotomy technicians, dietetic aides and tele-health service coordinators. The certified candidates will set up a total of 14 telehealth centers, take up door-to-door diagnostic tests and opt for wage-linked opportunities in the industry. For the candidates qualified to set up the telehealth centers, Skill Tree will facilitate subsidized loans through various government-led schemes and other financing sources.