Lok Sabha Question No. 2256 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-01
Subject: Doctor-population Ratio
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Sudhakar Singh, Dr. Rajesh Mishra

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2256 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 ST AUGUST, 2025

## DOCTOR-POPULATION RATIO

## 2256. SHRI SUDHAKAR SINGH: DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of doctor-population ratio in the country, State/UT-wise, including Madhya Pradesh and district-wise for Bihar;
- (b) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to improve the doctor-population ratio in the country, State/UT-wise including the State of Bihar;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the measures being taken by the Government to meet/overcome the shortage of doctors; and
- (d) whether the Government plans to make it mandatory for MBBS doctor to work for three years in rural areas of the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) to (e): As per information provided by National Medical Commission (NMC), there are 13,86,157 registered allopathic doctors. The Ministry of AYUSH has informed that there are 7,51,768 registered practitioners in the AYUSH system of medicine. Assuming that 80% of registered practitioners in both the allopathic and AYUSH systems are available, the doctorpopulation ratio in the country is estimated to be 1:811.

To address shortage of medical professionals in the country, the Government is implementing following schemes:

- i. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 131 new medical colleges are functional out of 157 approved medical colleges.
- ii. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.
- iii. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme has a component

related to 'Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by construction of Super Specialty Blocks/Trauma care centres, etc.' Out of 75 projects, 71 projects are complete under this component. The other component is for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved.

The Family Adoption Programme (FAP) has been incorporated into the MBBS curriculum to provide equitable healthcare access to rural population. FAP involves medical colleges adopting villages, and MBBS students adopting families within these villages. This enables regular follow-up of adopted families for vaccination, growth monitoring, menstrual hygiene, Iron & Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation, healthy lifestyle practices, nutrition, vector control, and medication adherence. It also helps in educating families about ongoing government health programmes. Further, the District Residency Programme (DRP) notified by the National Medical Commission (NMC) provides for a compulsory three months posting cum training of PG medical students at District Hospitals as a part of the course curriculum. DRP benefits the public by strengthening healthcare delivery in rural and underserved areas.

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