Pediatrics in India is a medical specialty focused on the infants healthcare, children and adolescents. It encompasses the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide range of pediatric diseases and conditions. Pediatric healthcare is vital due to its large youth population and pediatricians plays a crucial role in ensuring the well- being and healthy development of the nation's youngest citizens. Pediatric care in India is provided through a network of Hospitals, Clinics and Healthcare professionals with a growing emphasis on preventive care and immunization to resolve common childhood diseases. The field continues to evolve, adapting to the unique healthcare challenges and needs of India's diverse and growing population of children.
What is Pediatrics? A Pediatrician is a profession as medical doctor, who specializes in the care of children, from birth through adolescence. They are trained to diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of medical conditions and diseases that affect to children. Pediatricians plays a crucial role in promoting the health and well- being of children by providing regular check-ups, vaccinations and medical care when children are sick or injured. They are equipped to address various aspects of child health, including growth and development, nutrition, immunization and the management of common childhood illnesses. Overall, Pediatricians in India, plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the medical care and attention they need to grow up healthy and thrive.
Types of Courses: Certificate/ Diploma / UG and PG level.
Courses availability:
❖ MBBS
❖ M.D in Peadiatrics and Child Health and more.
Specializations: Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Oncology, etc.,
Eligibility criteria: To become a Pediatrician, you must complete your 10+2 education with the science stream (Physics/ Chemistry and Biology) from a recognized board/ university is required.
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS): After completing your 10+2, you need to qualify for the MBBS program. This course duration is 5 1/2 years (including 1 year internship also).
Internship: Following the completion of your MBBS, you must undergo a one- year compulsory internship at a recognized hospital is required.
PG in Pediatrics: To pursue a postgraduate degree, you need to complete your MBBS with a certain minimum percentage is required.
MD (Doctor of Medicine) in Pediatrics or DCH(Diploma in Child Health): These programs, which are typically 3 year courses.
Note: The eligibility criteria may vary slightly between different states and medical institutions in India,
Entrance Exams: NEET PG/ JIPMER.
Fee: Starting approx. INR. 1,16,000 to 3,10,000 per entire program.
How to get in that career? An aspiring Pediatricians, first need to complete their MBBS degree, which is a five-and-a-half-year undergraduate program, that may includes both classroom learning and clinical training. After completing the MBBS, graduates must undergo a one- year compulsory internship in a hospital to gain practical experience. Following the internship, those individuals interested in pediatrics, they can pursue a postgraduate degree course, Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Pediatrics or Diploma in Child Health (DCH). After completing the MD or DCH program, aspiring Pediatricians must possess a residency program, which provides hands- on training in various aspects of Pediatric care like, Neonatology, Pediatric surgery and relavant sub-specalities within Pediatrics. Later on lookup employment in various helath care departments like, Hospitals, Clinics, Child health centres and etc,.
Skills Required:
❖ Excellent communication skills
❖ Interpersonal skills
❖ Patience and empathy skills
❖ Problem solving skills
❖ Politeness
❖ Childcare skills
❖ Attention to detail
❖ Teamwork and more.
Top Institutions:
❖ AIIMS - Delhi
❖ CMC - Vellore
❖ Armed Forces Medical College - Pune and more.
Top Sectors/ Fields:
❖ Hospitals
❖ Clinics
❖ Community health centres
❖ Mental health center
❖ Child helath centers
❖ Medical colleges
❖ Health departments
❖ Orphanages and oldage homes
❖ Military
❖ Nursing homes
❖ Industrial houses and factories
❖ Schools and institutes
❖ Railways and more.
Job roles/ Designations with their salaries:
❖ Pediatric surgeon - upto INR. 18 Lakhs per year
❖ Neonatologist - Average of INR. 15 Lakhs per annum
❖ Critical care pediatrician - ranges from INR. 14 LPA
❖ Pediatrician - Average of INR. 8 Lakhs per annum
❖ Pharmacy manager - Average of INR. 7.4 Lakhs per annum
❖ Nutrition specialist - Approx. INR. 4.9 Lakhs per annum
❖ Child therapist - Approx. INR. 3 Lakhs per year
❖ Personal physician
❖ Consultant
❖ Pediatric endocrinologist
❖ Pediatric orthopedist
❖ Professor and more.
How was career? A career as a Pediatrician in India can be fulfilling and rewarding. Becoming a Pediatrician in India involves completing a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree followed by a 3 year Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Diploma in Child Health (DCH) specializing in Pediatrics. This requires several years of rigorous study and clinical training. The demand for Pediatricians in India is generally high due to the country's large population. Pediatricians can find opportunities in private practices, government hospitals, pediatric clinics and academic institutions. Pediatricians often have demanding schedules, especially in urban areas, dealing with a high patient load. Salaries for pediatricians in India vary widely depending on factors like location, type of practice and experience. government- employed pediatricians may have fixed salary scales, while those in private practice they can earn more but may face income variability.
In conclusion, a career as a Pediatrician in India can be both professionally fulfilling and personally rewarding. Despite these challenges, pediatricians in India play a vital role in promoting child health and well- being in a diverse in india.
Top Hiring companies:
❖ AIIMS
❖ Max hospitals
❖ Fortis
❖ Apollo childern hospitals
❖ Rainbow hospital for women & child
❖ Chirstan medical hospital
❖ Indraprasta apollo hospital
❖ Hinduja hospitals and more.
Conclusion: Pediatrician plays a crucial role in safeguarding the health and well- being of children. They are determined professionals, who provide essential medical care, vaccinations, and guidance to ensure the healthy growth and development of India's young population. Their expertise and commitment contribute significantly to improving child health outcomes in the country.
