Lok Sabha Question No. 126 (STARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Higher Cost of Medical Education
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ranjeeta Koli, Sumedhanand Saraswati

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 126 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

## HIGHER COST OF MEDICAL EDUCATION

## †*126. SHRIMATI RANJEETA KOLI: SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI:

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

- (a)  the  approximate  cost  of  education  for  getting  a  MBBS  (medical)  degree  in  the country;
- (b) whether the cost of medical education in India is almost double in comparison to that in other countries, particularly in European countries;
- (c) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the specific steps taken by the Government to improve the Doctor-Patient ratio across the country?

## THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## ANSWER (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (  d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 126 FOR 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

(a) to (d): Earlier, so far as fees in medical colleges is concerned, in case of Government Medical Colleges, the respective State Governments are responsible for fixation of fees. However, in the case of private unaided Medical Colleges, the fee structure is decided by the Committee set up by the respective State Government under the chairmanship of a retired High Court Judge in pursuance of the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.

However,  in  order  to  make  medical  education  affordable  in  the  country,  the National  Medical  Commission  Act,  2019  provides  for  framing  of  guidelines  for determination of fees and all other charges in respect of fifty percent (50%) of seats in private medical institutions and deemed to be universities which are governed under the provisions  of  the  Act.  Accordingly,  National  Medical  Commission  (NMC)  has  framed the guidelines and the same were issued on 03.02.2022. The cost of educating a doctor in the country varies.

The  government  has  increased  number  of  medical  colleges  and  subsequently increased MBBS seats. There is an increase of 69% in Medical Colleges from 387 before 2014 to 655 as of now. Further, there is an increase of 95% in MBBS seats from 51348 before 2014 to 100163 as of now and increase of 110% in PG seats from 31185 before 2014 to 65335 as of now.

As informed by the NMC, there are 13,08,009 allopathic doctors registered with the  State  Medical  Councils  (SMCs)  and  the  NMC  as  on  June,  2022.  Assuming  80% availability  of  registered  allopathic  doctors  and  5.65  lakh  AYUSH  doctors,  the doctorpopulation ratio in the country is 1:834. The measures/steps taken by the Government to increase the doctor to patient ratio in the country include:-

- i. Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  for  establishment  of  new  medical  college  by upgrading  district/  referral  hospital  under  which  94  new  medical  colleges  are already functional out of 157 approved.
- ii. Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  for  strengthening/  upgradation  of  existing  State Government/Central  Government  Medical  Colleges  to  increase  MBBS  and  PG seats.
- iii. Under  'Upgradation  of  Government  Medical  Colleges  by  construction  of  Super Specialty  Blocks'  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Swasthya  Suraksha  Yojana  (PMSSY) scheme,  a  total  of  75  projects  have  been  approved,  of  which  60  projects  are complete.
- iv. Under the Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new  AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved. Undergraduate courses have started in 19 of these.
- v. Relaxation in the norms for setting up of Medical College in terms of requirement for faculty, staff, bed strength and other infrastructure.
- vi. DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.
- vii. Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/Dean/Principal/ Director in medical colleges upto 70 years.

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