Lok Sabha Question No. 1839 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-25
Subject: Doctor People Ratio
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1839 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH NOVEMBER, 2016

## DOCTOR PEOPLE RATIO

## 1839. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  availability  of  doctors/ medical  practitioner s in  thecountryis  less than neighbouring countries, if so, the reaction of the Government thereto along with steps taken to improve the doctor peopleratio in the country;

(b) the total medical colleges in the country along with estimated requirement of MBBS/BDS seat;

(c)  whether  a  profit  making  firm/ business  house  is  allowed  entry  in  the  field of medical education as per existing law, if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor;

(d)  whether  the  Government  proposes to  allow  commercial  ventures  in  the  field  of medical education and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government is considering to relax the existing teacher/ student ratio to enable private colleges to admit more students to meet the doctor peopleratio and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

(a): As  per  inf ormation  provided  by  Medical  Council  of  India,  there  are  a  total  9,88, allopathic doctors registered with the State Medical Council/Medical Council of India as th June, 2016. Assuming 80% availability, it is estimated that around 7.91 lakh doctors m actually available for active service. It gives a doctor - populati n ratio of 1:1668 as per current population  estimate  of  1.32  billion.  The  Government  has  taken  v arious  steps  to  increase  the number of doctors. These efforts include -

(i) DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shor faculty.

(ii) Enhancement of maximum intake capacity at MBBS level from 150 to 250.

( iii)  Enhancement  of  age  limit  for  appointment/  extension/  re - employment  against  posts  of teachers/dean/principal/ director in medical colleges from 65 - 70 years.

(iv) relaxation in the norms of setting up of Medical College in terms of requirement f , faculty, staff, bed/bed strength and other infrastructure.

(v)  Strengthening/upgradation  of  State  Government  Medical  Colleges  for  starting  new courses/Increase of PG seats.

- (vi) Establishment of New Medical Colleges by upgrading district/referral hospitals preferably in underserved districts of the country.
- (vii)  Strengthening/  upgradation  of  existing  State  Government/Central  Government  Medi Colleges to increase MBBS seats.
- (b): At present there are 472 medical  colleges  in  the  country  out  of  w hich  212  are  in  the Government sector including six new AIIMS and remaining 260 are in private sector, out of which 5 are not functioning. The admission capacity of these 472 medical colleges is 65,138 students per year. 308 Dental Colleges are also functi oning with the intake capacity of 26,690 BDS seats.

(c) & (d) : As  per  the  Medical  Council  of  India's  Establishment  of  Medical  College Regulations, 1999, the following organizations shall be eligible to apply for permission new medical colleges: -

- i) A University and State Governments/Union territories;
2. ii)An autonomous body promoted by Central and State Government by or under a Statute for t purpose of medical education;
3. iii) A society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860) or c orresponding Acts in States; or
4. iv)A public religious or charitable trust registered under the Trust Act, 1882 (2 of 188 WAKFS Act, 1954 (29 of 1954).
- v) Companies registered under Company Act may also be allowed to open medical colleges Permission sha ll be withdrawn if the colleges resort to commercialization.

(e) : The  ratio  of  teachers  to  students  has  been  revised  from  1:1  to  1:2  for  all  M disciplines  and  1:1  to  1:3  in  subjects  of  Anaesthesiology,  Forensic  Medicine,  Radioth Medical Oncolog y, Surgical Oncology and Psychiatry.