10.5 Lakh Allopathic Doctors in India, 7.75 Lakh AYUSH, 2.5 lakh Dentists: National Health Profile
Delhi: Revealing the sorry state of public healthcare expenditure in the country, the recent data released by the Union Health Minister J P Nadda, showed one allopathic government doctor on an average serves over 11,082 people in our country. The distribution is further skewed with states like Bihar having Worst Ratios. As per totals, the data revealed that there are 10,41,395 Doctors registered with the Medical Council Of India upto 2017 and 2,51,207 registered dentists. Similar figures for AYUSH stood at 7,73,668 where more than 50% are ayurveda practitioners.
The figures were revealed in the National Health Profile (NHP), 2018, released by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence, the health intelligence wing of the Directorate General of Health Services under the Health Ministry. The NHP 2018 is a comprehensive annual compilation of data on disease incidence, health infrastructure and health finance. NHP are the basis of health policies including the recent Ayushman Bharat, and also a reliable indicator of how the programme was functioning.
The NHP data on the populations served by each government allopathic doctor reflects the overall health systems of states and highlights huge gaps between doctor ratios in states.
According to the data, the highest govt doctor-population ratio has been analyzed in the following states:
- Uttar Pradesh - 19,962
- Jharkhand - 18,518
- Madhya Pradesh - 16,996
- Chhattisgarh - 15,916
- Karnataka -13,556
With lowest ratios:
- The Capital -Delhi - 2,203
- Arunachal Pradesh - 2,417
- Manipur - 2,358
- Sikkim -2,437
According to the authorities, the good statistics in Delhi are due to an advanced focus on private hospitals whereas, in northeastern states, the better figures are due to lower population density and not better infrastructure.
The data also analyzed the number of doctors registered with the Medical Council of India (MCI) or other state medical councils and highlights the figure which went down over the years.
- In 2016, only 25,282 doctors were registered with the MCI or the state medical councils.
- Whereas in 2017, the figure went down to 17,982.
Following table Summarises the distribution of allopathic registered doctors in the country. Maximum number of doctors are in Maharashtra, followed by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
Other key data revealed by the NHP on healthcare manpower include
- Number of registered allopathic doctors possessing recognized medical qualifications (under MCI Act) and registered with state medical council for the years 2016 and 2017 were 25,282 and 17,982 respectively. At present, average population served per government allopathic doctor is 11,039.
- There has been a marked improvement in the Dentist to population Ratio. Number of Dental Surgeon registered with Central/State Dental Councils of India up to 31.12.2017 were 2,51,207.
- India, with its kaleidoscopic variety and rich cultural heritage, is proud of some unique medicinal forms that look at health, disease and causes of disease in completely di erent ways. Best known as the AYUSH, its main focus is on holis c health and well-being of humans. Over the years with gaining popularity, there is a steady rise in total number of registered AYUSH Doctors in India from 7, 71,468 in 2016 to 7,73,668 in 2017.
- AYUSH has maximum number of registered Ayurvedic doctors (55.44%), followed by registered Homeopathy Doctors (36.77%) in India. (Figure 5.4)
- There is an increase in the availability of Allopathic Medical Practioners, Dental Surgeon and Nurses per lakh popula on over the years.
- Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) plays very crucial role in providing healthcare services pertaining to maternal and child health. They are having wider linkages with ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers of ICDS and other development sectors like educa on, water supply and sanita on. There are total of 8,41,279 ANMs serving in the country as on 31.12.2016. (Table 5.5)
- There are 19,80,536 Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (RN & RM) and 56,367 Lady Heath Visitors serving in the country as on 31.12.2016
According to the report, the NHP has this year used data from perhaps the largest screening exercise for non-communicable diseases. Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke, 35 crore people were screened.
