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Key Points

The Indian government is actively working to achieve the WHO-recommended doctor-patient ratio of 1:1000 across the nation. NMC Chairman Dr Abhijat Sheth announced this commitment during a medical convocation ceremony in New Delhi. Current statistics show India has already reached a 1:834 doctor-population ratio, showing significant progress. The initiative includes educational reforms and balanced UG-PG ratios to elevate healthcare standards to developed country levels.

Key Points: NMC Chairman Sheth Commits to 11000 Doctor Patient Ratio Goal

  • Government aims for WHO standard 1:1000 doctor-patient ratio nationwide
  • Current doctor-population ratio stands at improved 1:834 across India
  • Working towards balanced 1:1 undergraduate to postgraduate medical education ratio
  • Integrating skill-based and virtual learning with traditional medical education
2 min read

Govt committed to achieving WHO recommended doctor-patient ratio of 1:1000: NMC Chairman

NMC Chairman Dr Abhijat Sheth announces government commitment to achieve WHO's 1:1000 doctor-patient ratio, with current ratio at 1:834 nationwide.

"The government is committed to increasing the number of doctors in the country - Dr Abhijat Sheth, NMC Chairman"

New Delhi, Sep 20

The Union government is committed to achieving the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended doctor-patient ratio of 1:1000, said Dr Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth, Chairman of National Medical Commission (NMC) on Saturday.

He was speaking at the 11th Convocation Ceremony of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, here.

Sheth congratulated the graduating students as well as their parents and faculty members for their dedication in guiding and motivating the students towards a service in healthcare

“The government is committed to increasing the number of doctors in the country to meet the World Health Organization’s recommendation of maintaining a uniform doctor-patient ratio of 1:1000 nationwide,” Sheth said. The current doctor-population ratio in the country stands at 1:834.

The expert also shared ongoing efforts to achieve a balanced undergraduate (UG) to postgraduate (PG) ratio of 1:1, aiming to elevate the quality of India’s healthcare system to the standards of developed countries.

Sheth also highlighted innovative initiatives being introduced by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences and the NMC, such as integrating skill-based and virtual learning alongside traditional physical education, to fulfill the requirements of competency-based medical education.

“Prioritise your health and well-being, to persevere through challenges, and to remain lifelong learners,” he told the students.

Dr. Vinod Kotwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, emphasised that the occasion “marks the beginning of lifelong commitment to the health and well-being of the nation.”

Kotwal urged the students to continue pursuing knowledge, discovery, and service with integrity, compassion, and respect as their guiding principles.

“Medicine is not just about curing disease; it's about caring for the patients who suffer,” she said.

Dr Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) also called for empathy for patients.

“This is a noble calling built on compassion and an unwavering commitment to human life,” said Sharma, while encouraging the graduates to remain humble and grounded, no matter how far they go or how much they achieve in life.

During the ceremony, degrees were presented to 250 postgraduate students, Doctorate of Medicine (DM) students, and the first batch of 100 MBBS graduates.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good initiative but the real challenge is retaining doctors in government hospitals. Many migrate abroad or prefer private practice. Need better working conditions and incentives.
A
Ananya R
The 1:1 UG to PG ratio is crucial! We need more specialists in the country. Currently patients have to wait months for specialist consultations. Hope this becomes reality soon.
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Michael C
Virtual learning integration is the way forward! Technology can help bridge the gap in medical education, especially in remote areas. Great to see India embracing modern teaching methods.
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Siddharth J
The current ratio of 1:834 is actually better than I expected. We're making progress! But quality matters as much as quantity. Hope the new doctors get proper training and infrastructure support.
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Kavya N
So proud of these graduates! 🎓 Becoming a doctor in India is incredibly challenging. The emphasis on compassion and empathy is so important - we need doctors who care, not just treat.
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Vikram M
While increasing numbers is good, we also need to address the uneven distribution. Metro cities have plenty of doctors but villages suffer. Mandatory rural service should be considered.

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