Only one doctor for 17,685 people in Bihar: Health Minister
What's the story
There is only one doctor for every 17,685 persons in Bihar, the state Health Minister Mangal Pandey said in the Assembly. At present, there are 6,830 doctors working in the state, including those in medical colleges. The Minister said there are 10 lakh registered doctors in the country whereas the number of registered doctors in Bihar stood at 40,043. Here's more.
Statement
Minister admits shortage of doctors in the state
Replying to a query by RJD's Akhtarul Islam Shaheen during the Question Hour yesterday, Pandey said that doctor-population ratio in Bihar is 1:17,685, as against the national average of 1:11,097. Stating that the government is committed to filling the vacant posts of doctors in the state, Pandey said 1,805 general practitioners and 665 specialists have been appointed on the recommendations of BPSC in 2016.
Information
Doctor-population ratio in view of World Health Organization
RJD's Shaheen had also asked Health Minister Mangal Pandey about the doctor-population ratio in view of World Health Organization's (WHO) parameter. The WHO's set parameter of one doctor for every 1,000 people.