In a major step towards strengthening India’s healthcare workforce, Ebekmed, in collaboration with the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI), has launched AHPI SHiNE Labs in Hyderabad. It is the country’s first stand-alone Co-Skills Hub dedicated exclusively to hospital workforce training.
Located at Punjagutta, AHPI SHiNE Labs focuses on improving the clinical competence and confidence of nurses and allied healthcare professionals. The initiative aims to bridge the growing gap between academic learning and real-world hospital requirements.
Addressing the Skill Gap in Nursing Education
India has nearly 3,000 nursing colleges, with about two lakh nursing students graduating every year. However, industry experts point out that many graduates lack hands-on clinical readiness.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Girdhar Gyani, Director General, AHPI, said Hyderabad alone has around 126 private hospitals with over 100 beds and nearly 12,000 hospital beds overall.
“Nursing is the backbone of healthcare. Patient safety and quality care depend heavily on trained and confident nurses,” he said.
Confidence and Competence Are Critical
Mr. G. Sreekanthan, Managing Director, Ebekmed, highlighted the urgent need for structured upskilling.
“Our research, including a skill hackathon involving 2,400 students, revealed significant knowledge gaps among graduating nurses. Confidence and competence are critical. Doctors treat diseases, but nurses care for people. A hospital without nurses is just a building,” he said.
He added that Hyderabad has 297 NABH-accredited hospitals, reflecting strong demand for skilled healthcare professionals. Ebekmed plans to expand AHPI SHiNE Labs to Tier-II and Tier-III cities as well.
Hands-On Training with Real-World Focus
AHPI SHiNE Labs offers Certified Clinical Competency Courses, online learning programs, and structured training bundles aligned with NABH essential procedures. These programs cover both basic and advanced clinical skills across multiple specialties.
According to R. Govind Hari, Chairman, PVRI Group of Eye Hospitals, the hub also features state-of-the-art simulation labs, modern equipment, and hands-on workshops.
“This ensures learning goes beyond theory and mirrors real clinical environments,” he said.
Designed as a shared professional training ecosystem, AHPI SHiNE Labs supports hospitals without disrupting daily operations. The hub provides qualified clinical educators, digital pre-learning modules, certification pathways, and outcome-based assessments to ensure measurable results.
Ebekmed plans to replicate the AHPI SHiNE Labs model across major cities in India, creating a national network of Co-Skills Hubs for healthcare training and workforce readiness.
Dignitaries Present at the Launch
The launch event was attended by leading healthcare professionals, including:
- Dr. Girdhar Gyani, Director General, AHPI (Chief Guest)
- Shri R. Govind Hari, Chairman, PVRI Group of Eye Hospitals
- Shri Raghunath Reddy, Managing Director, Continental Hospitals
- Dr. Sunil K. Khetarpal, Deputy Director General, AHPI
- Dr. Annie Thakore, Group CEO, Pranaam Hospitals
- Dr. Prashanth, Group Medical Director, Rainbow Children’s Hospital
- Shri Biju Nair, Zonal COO, CARE Hospitals
