Doctor Ratio Milestone
India has achieved a significant milestone in its healthcare sector, boasting a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:811. This figure surpasses the World Health
Organization's recommended benchmark of 1:1000, indicating a substantial improvement in the availability of medical practitioners. The data, presented in Parliament by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, is based on comprehensive figures of registered medical professionals. Currently, the country has 13,88,185 registered allopathic doctors and an additional 7,51,768 registered AYUSH practitioners. By conservatively estimating that 80 percent of these registered practitioners are actively serving the population, the effective doctor-population ratio is calculated to be 1:811. This statistic is drawn from the 'Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure & Human Resources) 2022–23' report, an annual compilation utilizing healthcare administrative data submitted by various states and Union Territories across the nation. This advancement signifies a crucial step towards ensuring better access to medical care for the growing Indian populace.
Nurses: A Vital Force
Beyond doctors, India's nursing workforce plays an equally critical role in delivering healthcare services. According to the Indian Nursing Council (INC), there are approximately 39.40 lakh nursing personnel across the country. Applying the same 80 percent active participation assumption, this translates to a nurse-to-population ratio of 2.23 nurses per 1,000 individuals. To address the increasing demand for these essential healthcare professionals, India has established 5,310 nursing institutions. Of these, 806 are government-funded, collectively contributing to the annual graduation of about 3.82 lakh nursing professionals. This robust pipeline ensures a steady supply of skilled nurses, vital for patient care, especially in primary and secondary healthcare settings. The continuous growth in nursing education and a significant number of active practitioners highlight a focused effort to strengthen the overall healthcare human resource capacity in India.
National Health Mission's Role
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, while acknowledging the primary responsibility of state and Union Territory governments in bolstering public healthcare and filling hospital vacancies, provides substantial support. The National Health Mission (NHM) is a key initiative offering both technical guidance and financial assistance to states. Through this mission, states submit detailed Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) which are then reviewed and approved by the central government in the form of Records of Proceedings (RoPs). These approvals are contingent upon adherence to established norms and the availability of resources. The NHM encourages states to establish permanent positions in government hospitals, aligning with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for long-term sustainability. Simultaneously, positions supported by the NHM are strategically utilized to bridge immediate and medium-term human resource deficits, particularly in critical primary and secondary healthcare facilities, including district hospitals and lower-tier healthcare centers.
