You can be a Commerce graduate, Physics student, or a Chemical Engineer. You can still aspire to manage hospitals, doctors and healthcare operations at starting salaries of $20 lakh a year.
Yes, healthcare management is a boom industry. Job portals are seeing a month-on-month increase in postings and the Indian government estimates the industry to be at $50 billion this year. New job opportunities include the careers abroad and the government sector where a specialised management cadre are likely to be raised by state governments.
While doctors and nurses play a crucial role in providing medical care, healthcare managers are equally important in ensuring seamless operations, policy implementation, and administrative efficiency. The scope of careers in Healthcare Management, therefore, is expanding.
The Hindu in a recent webinar discussed different courses students can take up to kick-start a career in Healthcare Management. The webinar also discussed global job opportunities, salaries and the impact of the push on analytics in job creation in the sector. In the future, opportunities are also to rise in the public health sector.
The Hindu’s webinar was titled ‘Careers and Courses in Healthcare Management’ on March 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. featured distinguished experts, including Dr. P.R. Sodani, President of IIHMR University, Jaipur, and Dr. Gaurav Thukral, Co-Founder and COO of HCAH India. The discussion was moderated by M. Kalyanaraman, Head, Education Vertical, The Hindu.
Rising demand for healthcare managers
The demand for professionals in Healthcare Management has surged over the past two decades.
With corporate and government hospitals expanding their operations, pharmaceutical companies diversifying, and public health programmes requiring better oversight, there is a growing need for competent healthcare managers. These professionals ensure that medical facilities run smoothly, patient care is optimised, and administrative challenges are efficiently addressed.
Why professionals are choosing Healthcare Management
The field is attracting individuals from diverse educational backgrounds. Many doctors and healthcare professionals pursue an MBA in Healthcare Management to transition into leadership roles, allowing them to influence healthcare policies, administration, and patient care on a broader scale. At the same time, non-medical professionals, including business graduates and entrepreneurs, are entering the sector to improve service delivery and healthcare business operations.
While all graduates start on a level playing upon starting a course, their basic undergraduate degree can potentially influence their specialisation. For instance, Chemistry graduates can consider pharma management while biological sciences graduates can eye hospital management.
Specialised courses and career prospects
Leading institutions in India offer specialised courses tailored to Healthcare Management. Some of the most sought-after programs include:
MBA in Hospital and Health Management: Prepares students for leadership roles in hospitals and healthcare institutions.
Pharmaceutical Management: Focuses on managing pharmaceutical companies, drug development, and regulatory policies.
Healthcare Analytics: Trains professionals in data-driven decision-making, predictive analytics, and AI applications in healthcare.
Hospital Administration: Equips students with skills to manage healthcare facilities efficiently.
Graduates from these programmes find placements in corporate hospitals, government healthcare bodies, pharmaceutical companies, insurance firms, and consultancy organizations. Additionally, the rise of digital health, AI-driven healthcare solutions, and telemedicine has created new opportunities in health tech startups and digital healthcare enterprises.
Key takeaways from the webinar
Dr. Thukral highlighted the fact that healthcare is a people-intensive industry that requires skilled managers to oversee operations, human resources, financial aspects, and patient care. The complexity of healthcare services demands professionals who can navigate both medical and administrative challenges.
Dr. Sodani discussed the advancements in healthcare management education. The MBA programmes now focus on specialised courses in Hospital Planning, Patient Safety, Finance, Quality Accreditation, and Digital Health. Executive education programs are also gaining popularity, allowing working professionals to upgrade their skills while continuing their jobs.
With initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission, there is a significant push toward integrating technology into healthcare. As a result, institutions have introduced MBA in Healthcare Analytics, equipping professionals with expertise in AI-driven healthcare solutions, predictive analytics, and big data management.
Diverse Career Paths in Healthcare Management
Healthcare managers are now finding employment in a variety of sectors. Some of them are:
Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities: Handling administration, patient care coordination, and hospital accreditation.
Health Insurance Companies: Managing claims processing, fraud detection, and policy design.
Public Health Programmes: Working with government agencies and global organizations like WHO and the World Bank.
Health Tech Startups: Developing AI-driven solutions, telemedicine platforms, and digital healthcare initiatives.
Consulting Firms: Providing strategic advisory services to hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare policymakers.
Eligibility and Admissions
To enroll in an MBA in Healthcare Management, candidates generally require a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks. A valid entrance exam score of CAT, MAT, or equivalent national-level aptitude test is also required. The candidate performance in group discussions and personal interviews is also evaluated during the selection process. For executive MBA programmes, a minimum of three years of work experience in the healthcare sector is usually required.
Salary trends and global opportunities
Healthcare management professionals are earning competitive salaries, with significant opportunities for career growth. The highest package offered at IIHMR University, Jaipur, in 2024 was ₹36 LPA, with placements in Africa, U.A.E, and other international healthcare institutions. The increasing global demand for healthcare management professionals means that graduates can find employment in India and abroad.
Conclusion
Healthcare management is rapidly emerging as a highly sought-after career path, offering vast opportunities for professionals from medical and non-medical backgrounds alike. Whether in hospital administration, pharmaceutical management, health tech, or public health policy, the demand for trained professionals continues to grow.
As the industry evolves, professionals with expertise in hospital operations, digital health, and healthcare analytics will be at the forefront of driving positive change. With various specialised MBA programmes available, individuals can develop the skills needed to excel in this dynamic and impactful field.
For students and professionals looking to explore a career in healthcare management, leading institutes across India offer comprehensive programs designed to prepare them for leadership roles in this essential industry.
Published – March 10, 2025 08:22 pm IST