Parliament Question: Doctor-population Ratio

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. ****