Lok Sabha Question No. 1427 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Shortage of Neurologists
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sudheer Gupta, Prataprao  Jadhav, Shrirang Appa Barne, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1427 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

## SHORTAGE OF NEUROLOGISTS

## 1427.  SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

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

- (a) the  total  number  of  neurological  patients  and  the  present  ratio  of  neurologist  to neurological patients in the country;
- (b) whether the number of neurological patients are increasing at a fast pace in the country during the last few years and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  tried  to  ascertain  the  reasons  behind  shortage  of neurologists in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to overcome huge shortage of neurologists in the country;
- (e) whether more than 50 percent of the neurologists in the country are concentrated in the major metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai etc. and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the other steps taken by the Government to reduce the plight of patients suffering from neurological disorder in the country?

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

(a) to (f): As per information provided by National Medical Commission (NMC), there are 358 seats of DM Neurology in 94 Medical Colleges in the country. There has been an increase of 114 seats in the last 5 years. The data regarding the total number of neurological patients and the  present  ratio  of  neurologist  to  neurological  patients  in  the  country  is  not  maintained centrally.

To augment the availability of qualified manpower in field of mental health, the Government, under  the  National  Mental  Health  Programme  (NMHP),  is  implementing  manpower development  schemes  for  establishment of Centres of Excellence and strengthening/ establishment  of  Post  Graduate  (PG)  Departments  in  mental  health  specialties.  Till  date, support has been provided for establishment of 25 Centres of Excellence and strengthening/ establishment  of  47  Post  Graduate  (PG)  Departments  in  mental  health  specialties  in  the country.

The Government is also augmenting the availability of manpower to deliver mental healthcare services in the underserved areas of the country by providing  online training courses to various categories of general healthcare medical and para medical professionals through the Digital Academies established at the three Central Mental Health Institutes namely National Institute of  Mental  Health  and  Neuro  Sciences,  Bengaluru,  Lokopriya  Gopinath  Bordoloi  Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam, and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi.

Further,  under  the  National  Programme  for  Palliative  Care,  training  modules  have  been developed  for  Medical  Officers  and  Staff  nurses  for  delivery  of  palliative  care  services  at District Hospital, Community Health Centre and Primary Health Centre. State level Training of Trainers followed by district level and below trainings are also conducted in various States. Under the NMHP issues pertaining to epilepsy and other neurological disorders are addressed by  the  DMHP  units  through  its  OPD,  IPD  and  Outreach  services.  The  MNS  (Mental Neurological and Substance Use Disorders) under the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres also cater to neurological disorders.

The Government has launched a 'National Tele Mental Health Programme' on 10 th October, 2022, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. As on 31.01.2023, 25 States/ UTs have set up 36 Tele MANAS Cells and have started mental health services. As on 31.01.2023, a total of 43,861 calls have been handled on the helpline number.

*****