Lok Sabha Question No. 5564 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Contribution of India's Skilled Medical Professionals
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh, Smt. Supriya Sule, Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Shri Sanjay Dina Patil, Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare, Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5564 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026

## CONTRIBUTION OF INDIA'S SKILLED MEDICALPROFESSIONALS

## 5564. SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEELRAJSINH:

SMT. SUPRIYA SULE:

PROF. VARSHAEKNATH GAIKWAD:

SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:

SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:

DR. AMOLRAMSING KOLHE:

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

- (a) whether the Government recognises the contribution of India's skilled medical professionals and advanced healthcare infrastructure in delivering high-quality treatment across specialised fields such as cardiology, oncology, organ transplantation, orthopaedics and neurosciences, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that Maharashtra, as a leading healthcare hub, has benefited from targeted initiatives to strengthen tertiary and quaternary care services in public and private hospitals, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether advanced technologies, digital health platforms and quality assurance mechanisms are being promoted in Maharashtra to improve patient outcomes, clinical efficiency and continuity of care, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to enhance training, skill upgradation and retention of medical professionals in the State to meet the growing demand for specialised care, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes further support for integrating digital health solutions and modern treatment protocols across hospitals in the State to reinforce its role as a centre for advanced and affordable healthcare and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (e): The Government recognises the significant contribution of India's skilled medical professionals and robust healthcare infrastructure in delivering high-quality, affordable care across specialised fields. The Government duly recognised the invaluable contribution and selfless service of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, wherein doctors, nurses, paramedics and frontline workers played a critical role in managing the crisis. The Government also provided financial protection through schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19, offering insurance cover to frontline workers. In addition, efforts were made to ensure adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), capacity building, and prioritisation of healthcare workers in vaccination drives, thereby acknowledging their dedication and safeguarding their well-being.

Ayushman Bharat is a flagship scheme of the Government of India aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage by providing accessible and affordable healthcare. It has two key components: Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) for delivering comprehensive primary care, and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) , which offers health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation to economically vulnerable families. The scheme focuses on reducing out-of-pocket expenditure, improving access to quality healthcare services, and strengthening the overall public health system.

Further, the primary responsibility of strengthening public healthcare system lies with the respective State/UT Governments. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs including State of Maharashtra to create and strengthen quality healthcare infrastructure, training and skill upgradation for healthcare workers, etc in remote areas based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission. Government of India provides approval for the proposal in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources. The details are available in public domain at:

## https://nhm.gov.in/index4.php?lang=1&level=0&linkid=55&lid=68

In addition to the National Health Mission, Government of India is implementing the schemes like

Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC-XV) Health Sector Grants, Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), 'Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals', etc in States/UTs including Maharashtra to improve the healthcare infrastructure and service delivery in backward and under-served regions:

The Government promotes adoption of advanced technologies and digital health platforms under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM ). Initiatives include creation of digital health IDs, electronic health records, telemedicine services, and hospital information systems to improve continuity of care. Quality assurance mechanisms such as National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) and accreditation frameworks are implemented to enhance patient outcomes and clinical efficiency.

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to develop the backbone necessary to support the integrated digital health infrastructure of the country. It will bridge the existing gap amongst different stakeholders of Healthcare ecosystem through digital highways. Under the ABDM, specific measures have been instituted to ensure data quality, patient consent, and interoperability in the digital health ecosystem.

States/UTs have been supported to put in place a robust IT enabled supply chain management system like Drugs and Vaccines Distribution Management Systems (DVDMS). To facilitate the monitoring of supply chain management activity.

Under NHM, several targeted measures are undertaken to enhance training, skill upgradation and retention of medical professionals in the country including Maharashtra with measures such as Hard Area Allowance for specialist doctors, flexibility to States to offer negotiable salaries including 'You Quote We Pay', non-monetary incentives like preferential admission in postgraduate courses and multi-skilling of doctors through training in Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) and Life Saving Anaesthesia Skills (LSAS).

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