Question : Shortage of Medical Professionals

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether there is huge gap in the doctor-patient ratio in the country, if so, the details of corrective measures taken by the Government to address the issue;

(b) the details of necessary measures taken to fill up vacancies of doctors/para medics in Hospitals/PHC/CHC/ dispensaries in the country;

(c) whether the Government has a plan of action to improve/support public healthcare system to bring down out-of pocket private expenditure of the common
man;

(d) whether the Government is considering to seek assistance of retired Government/private medical professionals/ para medics to meet the above shortage, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the details of funds allocated, disbursed and utilized for rural healthcare services during the last three years, State/ UT-wise?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a): As per information provided by Medical Council of India (MCI), there are a total 11,15,835 allopathic doctors registered with the State Medical Councils/Medical Council of India as on 30th June, 2018. Assuming 80% availability, it is estimated that around 8.93 lakh doctors may be actually available for active service. It gives a doctor-population ratio of 1:1511 as per current population estimate of 1.35 billion, which is lower than the WHO norm of 1:1000. Besides, there are 7.63 lakh Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy (AUH) doctors in the country. Assuming 80% availability, it is estimated that around 6.10 lakh Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy (AUH) doctors may be actually available for service and considered together with allopathic doctors, it gives a doctor population ratio of 1:898.

The Government has taken various steps to increase availability of doctors in the country which 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. 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 Asso. Prof. from 1:1 to 1:2 if the Asso. Prof. is a unit head. The same has also been extended to the private medical colleges with certain conditions. This would result in increase in number of PG seats in the country.
II. DNB qualification has been recognized for