Question : SHORTAGE OF EXPERIENCED DOCTORS

(a) the prescribed norms for undertaking routine surgeries/medical procedures and actual time taken in Government Hospitals;

(b) whether the Government has taken note of the shortages of doctors and other medical staff and beds in most of the Government hospitals in the country resulting in long wait for surgery and other medical procedures;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State/UTwise alongwith the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard; and

(d) the corrective action/steps taken by the Government for filling up of vacant posts and for upgradation and modernisation of Government hospitals?

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

(a) to (d): There are no standardized norms universally applicable as different types of routine surgeries/medical procedures take different time. The waiting period differs from specialty to specialty from institution to institutions.

Health being a State subject, information on availability of doctors, other medical staff and beds is not maintained centrally.

In Central Government Hospitals in Delhi, filling up of the vacant posts of doctors and other medical staffs and upgradation and modernization of Central Government hospitals are continuous process and is undertaken as per requirement, priority and availability of resources.

Although, there is waiting period for surgeries in some departments, depending on the type of surgery, the emergency patients are scheduled for surgery immediately/on priority.