In a push to address doctors shortage government decides to pump in Rs 24375 cr for new medical colleges and more MBBS seats
In the next three years, India will spend an average of more than Rs 8000 every year to address the severe doctor shortage in the country. This would lead to an addition of 15,700 MBBS seats. Currently there are 76193 medical seats in 532 colleges across India.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for establishment of 75 additional Government Medical Colleges by 2021-22. These will be attached with existing district/referral hospitals under Phase-III of the ongoing Centrally Sponsored scheme.
For the schemes approved to increase the availability of healthcare infrastructure and manpower, the Cabinet also sanctioned an expenditure of Rs. 24,375 crore during the 15lh Finance Commission period i.e. up to 2021-22. India’s doctors patient ratio is 0.62 per 1000 people – way below the one doctor per 1000 population that the World Health organisation considers ideal. In Canada the figure is 2.5 doctor per 1000 people, in China it is 1.8, in Germany it is 4.2 and in Australia it is 3.5.
India’s doctors patient ratio is 0.62 per 1000 people – way below the one doctor per 1000 population that the World Health organisation considers ideal. In Canada the figure is 2.5 doctor per 1000 people, in China it is 1.8, in Germany it is 4.2 and in Australia it is 3.5
The establishment of new Medical Colleges attached with existing District/Referral Hospitals, would lead to an increase in the availability of qualified health professionals, improve tertiary care in Government sector, utilize existing infrastructure of district hospitals and promote affordable medical education in the country.
New medical colleges would be set up in under-served areas having no medical college; with at least 200 bedded District Hospital. Preference will be given to Aspirational Districts and District Hospital having 300 beds.
Continuing the focus on creation of health care infrastructure, the Government earlier approved to establish 58 new Medical Colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals under Phase-I and 24 under Phase-II. Of these, 39 medical colleges under Phase-I, have already started functioning, while the remaining 19 would be made functional by 2020-21. Under Phase-II, 18 new medical colleges have been approved.
