Dr VK Paul Plead for DNB Programmes to Meet Specialists Shortage

Dr Paul states that as per the World Health Organisation's norm of having 1 doctor per 1000 population, India is pitching towards having 3 doctors per 1000 population. Despite this, a severe shortage of specialist doctors exists in the country

Dr V K Paul, a NITI Aayog member, recently pointed out the requirement of DNB programmes to overcome the shortage of specialists in the country. The reason behind this requirement is the rapid increase in the number of postgraduate seats from about 32,000 seats to 70,000 seats. Due to a severe deficit for the speciality workforce, this momentum came into existence. Dr Paul addressed this during the 64th Annual Day celebration programme of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS). 

"DNB programmes are so important for our nation's journey to create a workforce, the speciality workforce that we all should put our weight and time behind if possible," Dr. Paul said.

1 Doctor per 1000 Population 

Dr Paul states that as per the World Health Organisation's norm of having 1 doctor per 1000 population, India is pitching towards having 3 doctors per 1000 population. Despite this, a severe shortage of specialist doctors exists in the country, as reported by Medical Dialogues. 

"If the overall (healthcare) workforce is 1 per 1000 (WHO norm), and we are pitching to move to 3 per 1000, we already were at about 1 and with AYUSH workforce we are 1.4. But when you look at the gradient for specialities, for most specialities, the gradient is where we need 3 to 4, we have 1 specialist. That gradient difference is much more acute for several specialities even to reach the level of not a developed nation, but one level below that, it would take 25 years, 23 years, 79 years for some specialities," Dr Paul further added. 

Contribution of Private Sector Towards Medical Education

Dr Paul also addressed possible solutions to overcome the shortage of specialists in the country. He suggested utilising the available beds in the private sector to convert it into a teaching bed. Further, he also addressed the contribution of the private sector towards medical education. 

"We need to bridge this (gap) because this nation expects speciality care. Now, in the NMC-driven medical College system, huge improvements have been taken place, and infrastructure has been built. This takes time. You build up medical colleges, then a few seats are created, some more specialities are created and so on. That journey will go on. But, at the same time, we have 7 lakh beds in the private sector and all are teaching beds potentially." Dr Paul further added. 

Requesting the medical fraternity to consider the DNB programme, Dr Paul further stated "Make it the best way of doing it. PG training is an apprenticeship. This is how it happens in the UK, for example, which we often draw examples of."

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