Lok Sabha Question No. 3683 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-25
Subject: Shortage of Hospital Beds
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: D.K. Suresh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3683 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 25 TH  MARCH, 2022

## SHORTAGE OF HOSPITAL BEDS

## 3683.  SHRI D.K.SURESH:

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

- (a) whether  the  number  of  hospital  beds  is  considered  as  one  of  the  important  indicators  of quality health services;
- (b) whether the country has significantly low availability of hospitals beds as compared to 2017 global average and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the present status of hospital beds available per thousand population in the country;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to increase the availability of hospital beds to two beds per thousand people based on the National Health Policy 2017; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (e) National Health Policy 2017 recommends availability of 2 beds per 1000 population. However,  the  number  of  beds  in  public  health  facilities  are  guided  by  the  population  norms mentioned in the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) laid down by the Government of India. As per IPHS norms, Primary Health Centre with 6 indoor/ observation beds is to be established to  cover  20,000  to  30,000  population,  Community  Health  Centres  with  30  beds  to  cover population of 80,000-1,20,000, Sub-District Hospitals with 31-100 beds to cover population of 1,00,000 - 5,00,000 and District Hospital with 101-500 beds to cover population upto 30,00,000.

As per National Health Profile 2018, India had 1 bed per 1844 population or 0.54 beds per 1000 population. As per national Health Profile 2021, India has 8,25,235 beds or 0.6 beds per 1000 population.

Public Health and Hospitals is a State Subject, the primary responsibility for strengthening of health care systems lies with the respective State/UT Governments. However to address  the  gaps  in  the  availability  of  hospital  beds,  Ministry  of  Health  &  Family  Welfare, Government of India provides financial and technical support to States/UTs to strengthen their healthcare  systems  including  availability  of  adequate  hospital  beds  based  on  the  proposals submitted  by  States/UTs  in  their  Program  Implementation  Plans  (PIPs).  Government  of  India provides approval for the proposals in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources.

In addition, under CSS component of India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package - Phase-II (ECRP-II), Government of India provides support to the  States/UTs  for  provision  for  establishing  District  Paediatric  Units  (including  Oxygen Supported beds, ICU beds, HDU beds); to increase the availability of ICU beds in public health facilities and for augmenting beds at Sub Health Centres, Primary Health Centres & Community Health Centres in rural, peri-urban and tribal areas.

Further,  PM  Ayushman  Bharat  Health  Infrastructure  Mission  (PM-ABHIM)  with  an outlay of Rs. 64,180 crores envisages increased  investments in public health and other health reforms to provide better access to health in rural areas and one of the objective of the Mission is addition of new critical care-related beds at district level hospitals.