Measures Taken By Govt. To Overcome The Shortage Of Doctors
The Health
Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on
Tuesday that as per Medical Council of India (MCI) records, there are 9.29
lakh doctors registered in the Indian Medical Register as on 31.03.2014.
Assuming 80% availability, it is estimated that around 7.4 lakh doctors may be
actually available for active service. It gives a doctor-population ratio of
1:1674 against the WHO norm of 1:1000. Besides, there are an estimated 6.77
lakh AUH doctors in the country. If the Allopathic and AUH streams are
considered together, it gives a doctor availability ratio of 1:855.
The
Government has taken the following steps in order to enhance the availability
of doctors in the country:-
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 and Surgical Oncology.
II. DNB
qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of
shortage of faculty.
III.
Enhancement of maximum intake capacity at MBBS level from 150 to 250.
IV.
Enhancement of age limit for appointment/extension/re-employment against posts
of teachers/dean/principal/ director in medical colleges from 65-70 years.
V.
Relaxation in the norms for setting up of a medical college in terms of
requirement for land, faculty, staff, bed/ bed strength and other
infrastructure.
VI.
Strengthening/upgradation of State Government Medical Colleges for starting new
PG courses/Increase of PG seats with fund sharing between the Central and State
Government in the ratio of 75:25.
VII.
Establishment of New Medical Colleges by upgrading district/referral hospitals
preferably in underserved districts of the country with fund sharing between
the Central Government and States in the ratio of 90:10 for NE/special category
states and 75:25 for other states.
VIII.
Strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government
Medical Colleges to increase MBBS seats with fund sharing between the Central
Government and States in the ratio of 90:10 for NE/special category states and
70:30 for other states with the upper ceiling of the cost per MBBS pegged at
Rs.1.20 crore.