ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a): As per Rural Health Statistics (RHS) 2017, the State/UT-wise status of doctors and specialists is at Annexure I & II, respectively.
As per Medical Council of India, there are a total 10,41,395 allopathic doctors registered with the State Medical Councils/ Medical Council of India as on 30th September, 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.
(b) & (c): ‘Public health and hospitals’ is a State subject. Shortage of specialists, doctors and staff in PHCs and CHCs varies from State to State depending upon their policies and context.
However, 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.
Further, the State/UT-wise status of doctors and other health professionals in the country as per Rural Health Statistics (RHS) 2017 is at Annexure I, II and III.
The Government has taken various steps to increase the number of doctors. These efforts include-
I. 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 specialists in the country.
II. Diplomate of National Board (DNB) qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.
III. Enhancement of maximum intake capacity at MBBS level from 150 to 250.
IV. Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/dean/principal/ director in medical colleges from 65-70 years.
V. relaxation in the norms of setting up of Medical College in terms of requirement for land, faculty, staff, bed/bed strength and other infrastructure.
VI. Strengthening/upgradation of State Government Medical Colleges for starting new PG courses/Increase of PG seats.
VII. Establishment of New Medical Colleges by upgrading district/referral hospitals preferably in underserved districts of the country.
VIII. Strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS seats.
Further, Public health and hospitals being a State subject, the primary responsibility to provide health care services lies with the respective State/UT Governments and all administrative and personnel matters pertaining to health human resource (Health HR) too fall within the jurisdiction of the respective State/UT Governments. However, under National Health Mission (NHM) technical and financial support is provided to the State/UT Governments for strengthening their Health systems, including for availing services of Health HR on contract basis, based on proposals received from them in their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) within their overall resource envelope. Further, the State and UT Governments are also advised from time to time to expedite recruitment of Health HR to fill the vacant posts in various public health facilities.
(d): The details of funds allocated, disbursed and utilized for rural healthcare services during the last three years is at Annexure IV.
(e): As stated above, Public health and hospital being a State subject, the administrative and personnel matters pertaining to Health HR fall within the jurisdiction of the respective State/ UT Governments. The support to the State/UT Governments provided under NHM includes support for availing services of Health HR on contract basis – services of retired / private doctors, based on proposals received from them in their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) within their overall resource envelope.
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