Government Boosts Medical Workforce Amid Shortage
The Indian government is taking significant steps to address the growing shortage of medical professionals in the country. Currently, there are 74,306 postgraduate seats and 118,190 MBBS seats available, with a total of 1,386,150 registered allopathic doctors and 751,768 practitioners in the AYUSH system. The doctor-population ratio stands at an estimated 1:811, prompting urgent measures to enhance healthcare accessibility.
Government Initiatives to Expand Medical Education
To increase the number of medical professionals, the government has implemented several initiatives aimed at expanding medical education. One of the key strategies is the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishing new medical colleges by upgrading district and referral hospitals. Out of 157 approved medical colleges, 131 are already operational, significantly boosting the number of available seats for aspiring doctors. Additionally, the government is focusing on strengthening existing medical colleges to increase both MBBS and postgraduate seats. Under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), 75 projects for upgrading government medical colleges have been approved, with 71 already completed. Furthermore, the establishment of 22 new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is underway, with undergraduate courses already initiated in 19 of these institutions.
Improving Healthcare Access in Rural Areas
Recognizing the need for equitable healthcare access, the government has introduced several measures to enhance the availability of doctors in rural and remote areas. The Family Adoption Programme (FAP) is a notable initiative where medical colleges adopt villages, and MBBS students are encouraged to adopt families within these communities. This program aims to foster a deeper connection between medical students and the rural population they serve. Moreover, the District Residency Program allows second and third-year postgraduate students to gain practical experience by working in district hospitals. To incentivize specialists to serve in underserved areas, the government offers a hard area allowance and honorariums for gynecologists and pediatricians who provide essential services in rural settings. States are also empowered to negotiate salaries to attract specialists, ensuring that healthcare needs are met effectively.
Incentives for Medical Professionals
The government has introduced various incentives to encourage healthcare professionals to work in challenging environments. Non-monetary benefits, such as preferential admission to postgraduate courses for those serving in difficult areas, are part of the strategy to retain talent in rural healthcare. Additionally, improving accommodation arrangements for medical staff in these regions is a priority under the National Health Mission (NHM). To address the shortage of specialists, the NHM supports the multi-skilling of doctors, enabling them to perform a wider range of medical procedures. This approach, along with skill upgradation initiatives, aims to enhance the overall quality of healthcare services and improve health outcomes across the country.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel, shared these developments in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare system in India.
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