New Delhi|HL
According to Medical Council of India data, the doctor-population ratio in the country stands at 1:1681. And this too is based on the assumption that 80% of these doctors are available on any given day. This excludes non-allopathy doctors. Governments, both at the Centre and states, have made no significant effort to prevent doctors from migrating or making the atmosphere more conducive to practise in the country. Between April 2013 and March 2016, 4,701 doctors who graduated from India chose to go abroad.
Acute shortage of nephrologists, especially in North Karnataka, results in a steady stream of patients heading to Bengaluru. With no facility for dialysis and other kidney-related treatment, most patients have to practically spend their lives in buses, trains and hospital corridors.
According to Indian Paediatric Neurology Association, the country has only 65 paediatric neurologists.
Said Dr Vishal Rao US, consultant oncologist, head and neck surgeon at Healthcare Global Cancer Centre: “Today, India is on the brink of a major healthcare crisis. While we are globally the hub of non-communicable and communicable diseases, we also face a significant shortage of doctors. With less than 1% spent on health, medical education is a neglected subject for the government. India ranks 112 in World Health Organization (WHO) ratings. The current cost of medical education creates ambivalence in pursuing research and exploring medical advances. This is a disincentive for a medico who battles sustainability, while bearing the motto of service, aiming to improve healthcare accessibility.”
Government data shows hundreds of posts of doctors, including specialists, continue to remain vacant in government-run hospitals which cater to the needy.
Shortage across sections
The Union Public Service Commission’s call for 83 super-speciality posts got a poor response and, eventually, only 31 posts were filled. The number of vacancies across ESI Hospitals in various states is 968. Those in Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) dispensaries, including in Bengaluru, stand at 381.
Even the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) has 480 posts meant for doctors lying vacant. Added to this is the shortage in various state government-run hospitals.
The latest CAG reports clearly point to shortage of doctors in Karnataka and Gujarat. As of 2015, there were a little over 9.5 lakh doctors registered with the Medical Council of India/state councils. Of these, 98,831 registered in the last four years.
Inpputs:TNN
