At the ANBAI Annual Conclave 2025, a landmark publication titled “Transforming Healthcare Through Public–Private Partnerships: NBEMS, Government of Karnataka, and ANBAI – Insights from an IIM Bangalore Report” was officially released in the presence of healthcare leaders, academic experts, and policymakers.

Authored by Prof. Raghunath (IIM Bangalore), Dr. Veethica Smriti (IIM Lucknow), and Dr. Alexander Thomas (Founder, ANBAI), the report documents a pioneering collaboration that is reshaping the delivery of specialist medical education and rural healthcare in India. 

Key Findings from the IIM Bangalore Report

The Public–Private Partnership (PPP) between the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), the Government of Karnataka, and ANBAI has led to a structural shift in the way Karnataka develops its specialist doctor workforce.

Through this model, postgraduate DNB training was introduced in district and taluk hospitals, with private accredited hospitals providing academic mentorship. This decentralised approach has made high-quality specialist training accessible where it’s most needed. The report presents this Karnataka model as a replicable, scalable solution for other Indian states facing similar shortages in public healthcare delivery and specialist availability.

Current Impact: Strengthening Karnataka’s Public Health System 

The initiative has already delivered measurable results:

309 doctors have successfully completed DNB training under this PPP model.

171 DNB-qualified specialists are currently serving in government hospitals across Karnataka as part of their one-year service bond—bringing specialist care to rural and semi-urban communities.

36 DNB training centres have been established:

16 in District Hospitals

20 in Taluk Hospitals

369 DNB students are currently enrolled and undergoing training in these government centres.

This strategic partnership not only increases postgraduate training capacity but also directly strengthens access to specialist healthcare at the grassroots level, benefiting millions of patients across Karnataka.

A Model for India

Speaking at the release, Dr. Abhijat Sheth, President of NBEMS, highlighted that this initiative demonstrates how collaboration between regulatory bodies, state governments, and private institutions can create sustainable, high-impact healthcare reforms. The success in Karnataka serves as a blueprint for replication across other Indian states seeking to close the specialist doctor gap in public hospitals.

About ANBAI

The Association of National Board Accredited Institutions (ANBAI) is a national platform representing premier healthcare institutions accredited by NBEMS. It plays a central role in advocacy, quality assurance, and academic coordination for postgraduate medical education across India.