Context:
• The Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha that India’s doctor–population ratio stands at 1:811, indicating an improvement over past decades.
• The data includes registered practitioners of modern medicine and AYUSH, adjusted for 80% availability.
• The disclosure highlights ongoing efforts to address regional disparities in healthcare access, especially in remote and underserved areas.
Key Highlights:
Doctor–Population Ratio Status
• India has 13,88,185 registered modern medicine doctors.
• There are 7,51,768 registered AYUSH practitioners.
• After adjusting for 80% active availability, the overall ratio works out to 1 doctor per 811 persons, better than the WHO norm of 1:1000.
Government Measures to Improve Availability
• Introduction of “Hard-Area Allowance” for specialist doctors posted in remote, tribal, hilly, and difficult regions.
• Incentivisation aimed at correcting urban–rural and regional imbalance in healthcare services.
Role of AYUSH Systems
• AYUSH systems—Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy—form a significant component of India’s healthcare workforce.
• AYUSH practitioners supplement primary healthcare, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
Healthcare Access Concerns
• Despite improved ratios, distribution remains uneven, with shortages in remote and aspirational districts.
• Infrastructure, specialist availability, and retention remain key challenges.
Relevant Prelims Points:
• Issue: Doctor availability versus equitable access to healthcare.
• Causes: Urban concentration of doctors, difficult working conditions in rural areas.
• Government Initiatives:
– Hard-area allowance for specialists.
– Integration of AYUSH into public health delivery.
• Benefits:
– Improved doctor–population ratio.
– Enhanced reach of healthcare services.
• Challenges:
– Specialist shortages in remote areas.
– Quality and standardisation concerns in healthcare delivery.
• Impact:
– Better primary care coverage, but persistent regional inequities.
Relevant Mains Points:
• Facts & Definitions:
– Doctor–Population Ratio: Number of doctors per population size (WHO benchmark: 1:1000).
– AYUSH: India’s traditional and alternative medical systems.
• Governance Perspective:
– Human resources as a pillar of public health governance.
– Importance of incentives in addressing healthcare workforce gaps.
• Conceptual Linkages:
– Health as part of Social Justice and Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 47).
• Way Forward:
– Strengthen medical education and specialist training.
– Improve working conditions and infrastructure in rural areas.
– Use telemedicine and digital health platforms to bridge access gaps.
– Ensure balanced integration of AYUSH and modern medicine based on evidence.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
• GS 2: Governance, Health Administration, Social Justice
• GS 1 / GS 2 (Prelims): Indian Society, Public Health Indicators