Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2256 regarding the doctor-population ratio in India. The response details the current ratio, steps taken to improve it, and clarifies the government's stance on mandatory rural service for MBBS doctors. Data is based on information from the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Ministry of AYUSH.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Doctor-Population Ratio:**
* There are 13,86,157 registered allopathic doctors.
* There are 7,51,768 registered practitioners in the AYUSH system.
* Assuming 80% availability, the estimated doctor-population ratio is 1:811.
* **Government Schemes to Address Shortage:**
* Centrally Sponsored Scheme for new medical colleges: 131 of 157 approved colleges are functional.
* Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/upgrading existing medical colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.
* Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY):
* Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges: 71 of 75 projects are complete.
* Setting up of new AIIMS: 22 AIIMS have been approved.
* **Family Adoption Programme (FAP):**
* Incorporated into the MBBS curriculum.
* Medical colleges adopt villages, and MBBS students adopt families within those villages.
* Focuses on health education, vaccinations, monitoring, hygiene, nutrition, vector control, medication adherence and government health program awareness.
* **District Residency Programme (DRP):**
* Notified by the NMC.
* Mandatory three-month posting cum training of PG medical students at District Hospitals.
Impact Analysis:
* **General Public:**
* Impact: Improved healthcare access, particularly in rural and underserved areas, through increased doctor availability and strengthened healthcare delivery systems.
* Action Required: None specified.
* **Medical Students (MBBS & PG):**
* Impact: Increased educational opportunities and community engagement through the Family Adoption Programme and mandatory rural training via the District Residency Programme.
* Action Required: Active participation in the Family Adoption Programme and completion of the three-month District Residency Programme.
* **National Medical Commission (NMC) & Ministry of AYUSH:**
* Impact: Responsible for providing data and implementing/monitoring the District Residency Programme.
* Action Required: Continue to provide accurate data and oversee the implementation of the District Residency Programme.
* **Government (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare):**
* Impact: Overseeing and implementing various schemes and programs to improve the doctor-population ratio and healthcare infrastructure.
* Action Required: Continue implementing and monitoring the listed schemes and programs.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health policy.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in central India, mentioned in the context of doctor-population ratio.
Bihar: A state in eastern India, specifically mentioned for district-wise doctor population ratio analysis.
National Medical Commission (NMC): Statutory body responsible for regulating medical education and profession in India.
AYUSH: Refers to the traditional and non-conventional systems of healthcare and medicine in India.
Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY): An Indian government scheme aimed at upgrading government medical colleges and establishing new AIIMS.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS): A group of autonomous public medical institutions of higher education in India.
District Residency Programme (DRP): A program by the National Medical Commission (NMC) that mandates postgraduate medical students to undergo training in District Hospitals.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2256
TO BE ANSWERED ON1STAUGUST, 2025
DOCTOR-POPULATION RATIO
2256.SHRISUDHAKAR SINGH:
DR. RAJESH MISHRA:
Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) the details of doctor-population ratio in the country, State/UT-wise, including Madhya
Pradeshanddistrict-wise for Bihar;
(b) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to improve the doctor-population
ratiointhe country, State/UT-wise includingthe State of Bihar;
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the measures being taken by the Government to
meet/overcomethe shortage of doctors; and
(d) whether the Government plans to make it mandatory for MBBS doctor to work for three
yearsinrural areasof the country; and
(e)if so, the detailsthereof andif not,the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)
(a) to (e): As per information provided by National Medical Commission (NMC), there are
13,86,157 registered allopathic doctors. The Ministry of AYUSH has informed that there are
7,51,768 registered practitioners in the AYUSH system of medicine. Assuming that 80% of
registered practitioners in both the allopathic and AYUSH systems are available, the doctor-
populationratiointhe countryisestimatedtobe 1:811.
To address shortage of medical professionals inthe country, the Government is implementing
following schemes:
i. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading
district/ referral hospital under which 131 new medical colleges are functional out of
157approvedmedicalcolleges.
ii. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State
Government/Central Government Medical Collegestoincrease MBBS andPGseats.
iii. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme has a componentrelated to “Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by construction of Super
Specialty Blocks/Trauma care centres, etc.” Out of 75 projects, 71 projects are
completeunderthiscomponent.The othercomponentisfor settingupofnewAIIMS,
22AIIMS have beenapproved.
The Family Adoption Programme (FAP) has been incorporated into the MBBS curriculum to
provide equitable healthcare access to rural population. FAP involves medical colleges
adopting villages, and MBBS students adopting families within these villages. This enables
regular follow-up of adopted families for vaccination, growth monitoring, menstrual hygiene,
Iron & Folic Acid (IFA)supplementation, healthylifestyle practices,nutrition,vector control,
and medication adherence. It also helps in educating families about ongoing government
health programmes. Further, the District Residency Programme (DRP) notified by the
National Medical Commission (NMC) provides for a compulsory three months posting cum
training of PG medical students at District Hospitals as a part of the course curriculum.
DRPbenefitsthe public by strengthening healthcare deliveryinrural andunderserved areas.
****