Lok Sabha Question No. 3331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-08
Subject: Shortage of Health Personnel in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3331 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08 th AUGUST 2025

## SHORTAGE OF HEALTH PERSONNELIN TAMILNADU

## 3331. DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

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

(a) the current number and percentage of vacancies for doctors and paramedical staff in Government Medical Colleges, Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) in Tamil Nadu, district-wise and especially in rural, tribal and hilly regions;

(b) whether the Government has received proposals from the Government of Tamil Nadu seeking additional financial or technical assistance to strengthen human resources for health in Government medical colleges and public health institutions;

(c) if so, the details of proposals received and action taken thereon; and

(d) the role of the National Health Mission (NHM) and any centrally sponsored initiatives in addressing health personnel shortages with particular reference to strategies adopted for deployment and retention of medical professionals in tribal and underserved areas of Tamil Nadu?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a): As per the Health Dynamics of India (HDI) 2022-23, the details of vacancies for doctors and paramedical staff in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Upper Primary Health Centres (UPHC), Community Health Centres (CHCs), District Hospital (DH) and Sub- District Hospital (SDH) in Tamil Nadu is given at Annexure.

Public Health and Hospital is a State Subject and the responsibility for strengthening of healthcare system including expansion of human resources lies with respective State/UT Governments.

(b) & (c): The Government of Tamil Nadu has submitted proposals under the National Health Mission (NHM) through Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs). The details of proposals submitted by the Government of Tamil Nadu seeking financial and technical support to augment human resources for health are available in the PIPs. The approvals granted are reflected in the Record of Proceedings (ROP) which are available at:

https://nhm.gov.in/index4.php?lang=1&level=0&linkid=59&lid=72

(d): The NHM provides financial and technical support to address health personnel shortages, particularly in tribal and underserved areas. Key strategies include:

## i. Incentives and Allowances:

- o Hard area allowances for specialists in rural/remote areas.
- o Honorariums for specialists conducting critical procedures like cesarean sections.
- o Differential salaries under the "You Quote, We Pay" scheme.

## ii. Infrastructure and Support:

- o Relaxed population norms for setting up health facilities in tribal areas.
- o Deployment of Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) in tribal and remote regions.
- o Construction of Tribal Birth Waiting Rooms at PHCs.

## iii. Skill Development and Retention:

- o Multi-skilling programs like Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC) and Life-Saving Anaesthesia Skills (LSAS).
- o Preferential admission in postgraduate courses for staff serving in difficult areas.
- o Provision of staff quarters and improved living conditions.

## iv. Technology Integration:

- o Telemedicine platforms like e-Sanjeevani to connect remote areas with specialists.

Additionally, under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM), Tamil Nadu has been approved Rs.1,656.32 crore for strengthening healthcare infrastructure, including the construction of Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Integrated Public Health Labs, and Critical Care Blocks.

These measures aim to ensure equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare services across Tamil Nadu, especially in underserved regions.

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Statement referred to in reply to part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3331 for 8.8.2025 asked by Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Hon'ble MP regarding 'Shortage of Health Personnel in Tamil Nadu'

Details of vacancies for doctors and paramedical staff in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Upper Primary Health Centres (UPHC), Community Health Centres (CHCs), District Hospital (DH) and Sub- District Hospital (SDH) in Tamil Nadu

| Human Resources for Health (HRH)   |   Sanctioned |   In place |   Vacancy | Vacancy%   |
|------------------------------------|--------------|------------|-----------|------------|
| Doctor at PHC                      |         2934 |       2594 |       340 | 12%        |
| GDMO at CHC                        |         2190 |       2005 |       185 | 8%         |
| Doctor at UPHC                     |          558 |        493 |        65 | 12%        |
| GDMO at UCHC                       |           48 |         43 |         5 | 10%        |
| Specialists at CHC                 |          329 |        227 |       102 | 31%        |
| Specialists at UCHC                |           40 |         30 |        10 | 25%        |
| Pharmacist at PHC                  |         1419 |       1046 |       373 | 26%        |
| Pharmacist at CHC                  |          488 |        407 |        81 | 17%        |
| Pharmacist at UPHC                 |          395 |        338 |        57 | 14%        |
| Pharmacist at UCHC                 |           37 |         34 |         3 | 8%         |
| Lab Technicians at PHC             |         1419 |       1046 |       373 | 26%        |
| Lab Technicians at CHC             |          594 |        552 |        42 | 7%         |
| Lab Technicians at UPHC            |          400 |        345 |        55 | 14%        |
| Lab Technicians at UCHC            |           44 |         36 |         8 | 18%        |
| Staff Nurse at PHC                 |         5146 |       4439 |       707 | 14%        |
| Staff Nurses at CHC                |         3699 |       3290 |       409 | 11%        |
| Staff Nurses at UPHC               |         1411 |       1237 |       174 | 12%        |
| Staff Nurses at UCHC               |          374 |        306 |        68 | 18%        |
| Doctors and Specialists at DH      |          791 |        771 |        20 | 3%         |
| Doctors and Specialists at SDH     |         3066 |       2714 |       352 | 11%        |
| Paramedical staff at DH            |         2732 |       2263 |       469 | 17%        |
| Paramedical staff at SDH           |         6292 |       5597 |       695 | 11%        |

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