Lok Sabha Question No. 3652 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: MBBS Doctors-Population Ratio
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3652 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST MARCH, 2025

## MBBS DOCTORS-POPULATION RATIO

## 3652. ADV GOWAAL KAGADAPADAVI:

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

(a) the details of MBBS doctor-population ratio in the country, State/UT-wise especially rural areas of Maharashtra, district-wise;

(b) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to improve the MBBS doctor population ratio in the country, State/UT-wise including the State of Maharashtra;

(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to initiate compulsory internships for MBBS and MD doctors in rural areas, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) whether the Government has any plans to lower the number of child malnutrition and undernutrition cases in tribal areas of the country, if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) & (b): As per information provided by National Medical Commission (NMC), there are 13,86,150 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.

The government has increased number of medical colleges and subsequently increased MBBS seats. There is an increase of 101.5% in Medical Colleges from 387 before 2014 to 780 as of now. Further, there is an increase of 130% in MBBS seats from 51,348 before 2014 to 1,18,190 as of now and increase of 138.3% in PG seats from 31,185 before 2014 to 74,306 as of now.

The measures/steps taken by the Government to increase the doctor/medical professional in the country include:-

-  Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 131 new medical colleges are already

functional out of 157 approved medical colleges which includes two medical colleges in the State of Maharashtra..

-  Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.
-  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 71 projects are complete.
-  Under the Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved. Undergraduate courses have been started in 19 of these.
-  DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.
-  Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/Dean/Principal/ Director in medical colleges upto 70 years.

(c): 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 innovative approach takes young medical students directly to rural households, offering them first hand experience of the real-world challenges faced by families in diverse socioeconomic environments. Moreover, NMC has approved District Residency Program where the second/third year PG students of medical colleges are posted in district hospitals for a period of three months to enhance healthcare facilities at District/Rural level.

(d): The government has prioritized addressing malnutrition through Mission Poshan 2.0, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at improving nutrition content and delivery. It focuses on maternal nutrition, infant and young child feeding, and the treatment of severe and moderate malnutrition. Key activities include community mobilization, awareness advocacy, and events like Poshan Maahs and Poshan Pakhwadas to educate people on nutrition. The Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) provides fortified nutrition to children, pregnant and lactating women, and adolescent girls to meet dietary requirements, with an emphasis on quality protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients. The program promotes the use of millets to improve diet diversity and tackle anemia.

National Health Mission, implements the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health, and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategy to address malnutrition and improve health outcomes. Key initiatives include Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres for treating severely malnourished children, the Anaemia Mukt Bharat strategy for combating anaemia, the Mothers' Absolute Affection (MAA) Programme to promote breastfeeding, Lactation Management Centres to support breastfeeding mothers, and National Deworming Day to reduce soil-transmitted helminths. Additionally, Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days provide maternal and child health services and raise awareness about nutrition.

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