The statement given by Union Health Minister J P Nadda in Parliament in November last year that doctor-population ratio across India viz. 1:811, is better than the WHO standard of 1:1000 giving a sigh of relief to the stakeholders as there was no need to take extra pain over the issue.
This was the status of the entire nation but taking into account the case of Jammu and Kashmir, a startling revelation has been made by none other than the UT government itself that there is one doctor available for treating over 1,800 patients in J&K under the doctor-to-patient ratio.
The information came to fore after the Minister In-charge, Health and Medical Education Department replied to the question raised by MLA Wagoora-Kreeri Irfan Hafiz Lone over the issue.
There is another point to be noted in the statements made in the Lok Sabha and J&K Assembly, the Union Health Minister has said that the ration is between doctors and the population but in J&K the figure is between doctors and the patients, making the case even worse because as far as population is concerned the number of patients could be less but in case of the UT, it is the number of patients om context with available doctors thus pointing about the sordid tale of affairs and the abysmal situation of the patient care. Another point, which is clear enough when it comes to the case of J&K is that the doctors’ availability in most of the cases is in urban areas as many people rendering such noble services in J&K make colossal efforts to remain in cities as rural place of posting is the last option for them. This dismal attitude can be visualized to gauge the actual situation of healthcare in rural and far off hamlets in J&K.
Although, the Government has stated in the Assembly that the present doctor-patient ratio is 1:1880 and that posts are being continuously referred to improve it as the H&ME Department has recently appointed 365 Medical Officers and 105 Assistant Professors, the road to plug in the gap seems to be bumpy confronting bottlenecks which are difficult to be negotiated.
It is however good that the government is quite positive in the matter and believes that the shortfall of doctors will not affect the population but the time will only tell whether the claim by the government is right or the balloon of assurance will burst with the collapse of the healthcare sector in J&K, the chances of which are more looking at the gloomy picture of present doctor-patient ratio.
The government at this juncture should take steps on war footing by going for speedy recruitment drives, adhoc appointments, and ensuring rationalization of postings of medicos in rural and urban centres. A comprehensive plan with the help of the central government can act as a redeemer for the people to ensure early changes and improvement in the sector, which is vital in many ways.
