1:811 Ratio: How India Surpassed WHO’s Healthcare Standard

As of November 2024, India's doctor-population ratio stands at 1:811, significantly better than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard of 1:1000, according to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda. Addressing the Lok Sabha, Nadda attributed this achievement to concerted efforts by the government to enhance medical education and healthcare infrastructure.

Citing data from the National Medical Commission (NMC), Nadda stated that there are 13,86,145 allopathic doctors registered with state medical councils and the NMC. “Assuming 80% availability of registered allopathic doctors and approximately 6.14 lakh AYUSH practitioners, the country’s doctor-population ratio surpasses global benchmarks,” Nadda remarked.

Scaling Medical Education and Infrastructure

India's transformation in medical education has been remarkable, with the number of medical colleges doubling since 2014. Before 2014, India had 387 medical colleges; today, there are 780—a 102% increase. Similarly, MBBS seats have surged by 130%, rising from 51,348 in 2014 to 1,18,137 in 2024. Postgraduate medical seats have also grown by 135%, from 31,185 in 2014 to 73,157 currently.

Nadda emphasized that this expansion is a cornerstone of the government's strategy to meet the rising demand for healthcare professionals. "The government is committed to making quality medical education accessible, which will address both the doctor shortage and regional disparities," he said.

Initiatives to Boost Healthcare Capacity

The government has implemented several initiatives to further strengthen healthcare. Key measures include:

• Establishment of New Medical Colleges: Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, 131 of the 157 approved medical colleges are operational. This includes 23 colleges in Rajasthan alone.

• Super Specialty Blocks: As part of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), 75 projects have been approved, with 69 completed. These projects aim to enhance specialized care in government medical colleges.

• Expansion of AIIMS: Of the 22 new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) approved under the Central Sector Scheme, 19 have already started undergraduate courses, further decentralizing advanced medical education.

• DNB Qualifications: The recognition of Diplomate of National Board (DNB) qualifications for faculty positions in medical colleges has addressed the shortage of teaching staff.

• Age Limit Enhancement: The maximum age for faculty appointments and re-employment in medical institutions has been raised to 70 years, ensuring the retention of experienced professionals.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)