MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a)to (e): The rural health infrastructure in the country comprises 1,46,036 sub centers,
23,458 PHCs and 4,276 CHCs. In some states more facilities are needed to improve the services
to citizens. As per the Rural Health Statistics Bulletin (March 2008), there are 4068 vacant
positions of specialists and 661 vacant positions of paramedics at CHCs in various states.
Under NRHM the rural health infrastructure is being expanded in all the states and additional
health human resources have been positioned. States have reported positioning of 2344
specialists at CHCs and 13278 paramedics on contract at various levels.
States are also improving the availability of health human resources through multi-skilling
training and training in short courses. Incentives have been provided by various states to
service providers to encourage them to work in remote rural areas. The gaps in availability
of health HR is also being compensated through mainstreaming of AYUSH providers, block pooling
of service providers, engagement with non-governmental providers through contracting in for
services.
The Government has reviewed and amended the norms in medical education with regard to land
requirement, teacher-student ratio, etc. which will facilitate setting up of more medical
colleges and also enhance the intake in Post Graduate Courses & Super-Specialities.
The Government is providing technical assistance to the states to overcome the hurdles
for the effective implementation of the NRHM. Regular states visits are undertaken and
workshops convened to handhold the implementation of key interventions is under the NRHM.
