Question : VACANT POSTS OF DOCTORS UNDER NRHM

(a) whether there is acute shortage of doctors including lady doctors and specialist doctors and para-medical staff sanctioned under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in the country including Bihar;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor, State-wise and the steps taken/being taken by the Government to meet this shortage;

(c) the number of sanctioned posts of doctors/specialist doctors/lady doctors lying vacant in the country under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in Rural Health Centres, Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres;

(d) the time by which the vacant posts are likely to be filled up;

(e) whether the Government has any plan to provide full induction training to Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to get their total services in the health centres all over the country; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) to (c) There is indeed shortage of critical human resources in the public health delivery system in some states in the country especially in rural areas. Under NRHM states have undertaken steps to remove these shortages. Human resources engagement is a major thrust area under NRHM and is a priority being pursued with the States/UTs. This include multi skilling of doctors and para-medics, provision of initiatives, to serve in rural areas like blended payments case based payments, difficult area allowances, improved accommodation arrangements, provision of AYUSH doctors and paramedics in PHCs and CHCs as additional doctors in rural areas, block pooling of doctors in underserved areas, engaging with the non government sector for underserved areas, provisioning of untied and flexible funds etc. The Human Resources are hired on contractual basis under NRHM. The vacant posts of Specialist at CHCs, Statewise as per Bulletin on Rural Health Statistics in India updated up to March 2008 is annexed.

(d) Government of India is making all possible steps to speed up the provision of quality health services in rural areas through National Rural Health Mission by involving RMPs in public health system. The vacant posts are tried to be filled up by the respective States/UTs Governments either by recruiting permanent staff or hiring contractual staff.

(e)&(f) Govt. of India is already providing various training modules to ASHA and refreshing her skills by providing crash training courses. So far, Selection of 7,49,440 ASHAs have been done in the entire country, out of which 7,05,475 have been trained up to 1st Module and 5,65,561 have been trained up to 4th Module. 5.20 lakh ASHAs have been provided with drug kit as well.