Rajya Sabha Q&A : Shortage of Medical Staff in the Armed Forces

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 382
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24th July, 2023

SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN DEFENCE SERVICES

382 SMT. JEBI MATHER HISHAM:
Will the Minister of Defence be pleased to state:

(a) whether there is a shortage of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff in the Defence services at present;

(b) if so, the details thereof, service-wise and the reasons therefor;

(c) the details of the doctor-patient and nurse-patient ratio in each service;

(d) the steps taken to fill the vacancies and maintain the medical force strength of the three services at the authorised level; and

(e) whether it is intended to start new Armed Forces Medical Colleges in the country?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI AJAY BHATT)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a) & (b): Vacancies of doctors, nurses and other medical staff arise on account of release, resignation, premature retirement and superannuation.

Details of doctors (Army Medical Corps and Army Dental Corps) and nurses (Military Nursing Services) sanctioned and vacant in Armed Forces Medical Services as on 01st June 2023 are at Annexure, Table-1.

The details of other medical staff (paramedics) sanctioned and vacant in Armed Forces Medical Services as on30th June, 2023 are at Annexure, Table-2.

(c): The details of doctor-patient and nurse-patient ratio are as under: –

Doctor-Patient ratio 0.64 per 1000(i.e. 1 Doctor per 1563 patients)
Nurse-Patient ratio 0.42 per 1000(i.e. 1 Nurse per 2381 patients)

Armed Forces Medical Services is a Tri-Service Organisation. This ratio is calculated on a comprehensive basis.

(d): Recruitment of doctors, nurses and other medical staff in the Armed Forces is carried out every year by factoring in the vacancies against authorised levels.

Recruitment of other medical staff was impacted during the years 2021 and 2022 on account of COVID. Efforts are being made to cover this in future recruitment.

(e): No, Sir.