ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 48* FOR 20TH JULY, 2018
(a) No such trend has come to the notice of the Government.
(b) to (d) No study has been made in regard to shortage of doctors and Staff Nurses in Central Government Hospitals/ Dispensaries and other Health Centres across the country, particularly in rural areas during the last three year and current year. However, Health being a State subject, the responsibility for improving the functioning of the State Government hospitals is under the jurisdiction of respective State Government. Non- availability of doctors in Public Health Centers (PHCs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs) varies from State to State depending upon their policies.
As per Medical Council of India (MCI), there are a total 10,41,395 allopathic doctors registered with the State Medical Councils/Medical Council of India as on 31st December, 2017. Assuming 80% availability, it is estimated that around 8.33 lakh doctors may be actually available for active service. It gives a doctor-population ratio of 1:1596 as per current population estimate of 1.33 billion against the World Health Organization (WHO) norm of 1:1000. So far, no assessment about impact of shortage has been done by National Health Agency, set up for implementation of Ayushman Bharat-National Health protection Mission (AB-NHPM).
(e) The Government has taken various steps to increase the number of doctors. Some of these efforts include-
a) Setting up of 6 new AIIMS at Bhopal, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur, Rishikesh and Bhubaneshwar under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.
b) The ratio of teachers to students has been revised from 1:1 to 1:2 for all MD/MS disciplines and 1:1 to 1:3 in subjects of Anaesthesiology, Forensic Medicine, Radiotherapy, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology and Psychiatry in all medical colleges across the country. Further, teacher : student ratio in public funded Government Medical Colleges for Professor has been increased from 1:2 to 1:3 in all clinical subjects and for Associate Professor from 1:1 to 1:2 if the Associate Professor is a unit head. This would result in increase in number of PG seats in the country.
c) Diplomate of National Board (DNB) qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.
d) Enhancement of maximum intake capacity at MBBS level from 150 to 250.
e) Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/dean/principal/ director in medical colleges from 65-70 years.
f) Relaxation in the norms of setting up of Medical College in terms of requirement for land, faculty, staff, bed/bed strength and other infrastructure.
g) Strengthening/upgradation of State Government Medical Colleges for starting new PG courses/Increase of PG seats.
h) Establishment of New Medical Colleges by upgrading district/referral hospitals preferably in underserved districts of the country and setting up of additional new AIIMS in different parts of the country.
i) Strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS seats.
j) Under the National Health Mission (NHM), financial and technical support is provided to States/UTs to strengthen their healthcare systems including support for engagement of doctors on contractual basis, based on the requirements posed by them in their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) within their overall resource envelope.
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