In a recent update provided to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel highlighted the current state of the doctor-population ratio in India and the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance medical education and healthcare infrastructure. As of July 2024, the doctor-population ratio in India stands at 1:836, which exceeds the World Health Organization’s standard of 1:1000. This figure is based on the 13,86,136 allopathic doctors registered with the State Medical Councils and the National Medical Commission (NMC). With an estimated 80 percent availability of these doctors and around 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors, the ratio indicates a relatively better healthcare workforce distribution compared to global standards.
Patel provided additional details on the expansion of medical education in the country. There are currently 731 medical colleges in India with an annual intake capacity of 1,12,112 MBBS seats and 72,627 postgraduate (PG) seats. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to improve medical education facilities and address the healthcare needs of the population.
Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), the government has launched a number of efforts to support medical education even more. This involves modernizing district and referral hospitals in order to create new medical colleges; 109 of the 157 approved new medical colleges are currently in operation. Additionally, the CSS is in favor of expanding the number of MBBS and PG seats at already-existing medical schools. A total of 4,977 MBBS seats across 83 colleges at an approved cost of Rs 5,972.20 crore and 4,058 PG seats in phase-I across 72 colleges at an acceptable cost of Rs 1,498.43 crore have been sanctioned for expansion. Furthermore, phase-II of the program, which has a budget of Rs 4,478.25 crore, intends to add 4,000 PG seats in 65 colleges.
The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) is another initiative of the government aimed at enhancing the state of the medical infrastructure. With 75 projects approved and 66 completed, this strategy comprises building super specialized blocks in government medical colleges.
Additionally, 22 new AIIMS institutions have been sanctioned under the Central Sector Scheme for the establishment of new AIIMS, with undergraduate courses beginning in 19 of these institutes. The government has raised the age restriction for appointments and reemployment of teaching faculty, deans, principals, and directors in medical colleges to 70 years in order to alleviate the teacher shortage. The DNB certification is also recognized for teaching posts.
In order to better satisfy the population’s healthcare demands, the government is taking steps to expand medical education and infrastructure in addition to increasing the doctor-to-population ratio. These initiatives show a dedication to improving healthcare accessibility and quality throughout India.
SOURCE:
TIMES OF INDIA
