The BRICS TimesHealth Minister JP Nadda provides a major statement on the count of doctors amidst the rising patient numbers in the country. Let’s find out what he said.
The number of illnesses and patients is rapidly increasing across the globe. A recent report indicated that some antibiotics, which were previously effective, are now showing reduced impact. Therefore, adequate doctors are essential to manage the growing patient count. However, new data released by the government has once again highlighted the severe shortage of doctors in the nation.
Information presented in Parliament on Tuesday revealed that only one doctor is available for every 811 people in India. Responding in writing to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda stated that 13,88,185 allopathic doctors are registered in the country. Additionally, 7,51,768 doctors from the AYUSH system are also registered.
What Did the Union Health Minister Say?
He mentioned that if we assume 80 percent of both allopathic and AYUSH doctors are actively practicing, the doctor-population ratio in the country stands at 1:811.
Nadda highlighted the significant expansion in medical education over the last few years. Compared to 2014, the number of medical colleges has increased from 387 to 818 today. MBBS seats have risen from 51,348 to 1,28,875, and PG seats have climbed from 31,185 to 82,059.
Essential Steps for Doctor Availability
The Health Minister stated that the government has taken several steps to increase the availability of doctors in rural, backward, and tribal areas. Under a central scheme, 137 of the 157 new medical colleges linked to district hospitals have already become operational. Furthermore, the Family Adoption Program has been incorporated into the MBBS curriculum.
Under this program, medical colleges adopt villages, and MBBS students regularly monitor the families living in these villages. This ensures continuous follow-up on issues like vaccination, nutrition, necessary steps for periods, iron-folic acid supplements, healthy lifestyle, malaria, dengue control, and adherence to medication guidelines. Nadda added that this also facilitates easy access to information about government health schemes for the public.
Deployment of PG Students
Under the NMC’s District Residency Program, second and third-year PG students from medical colleges are being deployed to district hospitals. Facilities like hard-area allowances and government accommodation are also provided for expert doctors working in rural and remote regions.
The Minister further informed that new NMC regulations allow foreign doctors temporary registration in India for specific situations such as training, research, fellowship, voluntary service, or super-specialty programs.
