Few District Hospitals to be converted into Medical Colleges

India is a vast country and most of the population is concentrated in its rural part. It is difficult for the Government to cater to the medical needs of the public there. As a solution to this issue the Indian Government has decided to convert 75 District Hospitals into Medical Colleges. The proposal has been put forth by the special program team which was sponsored by the Centre for Human Resources for Health and medical Education. In the first phase, 58 District Hospitals are shortlisted out of which 39 are already functional. The upgradation of 75 District Hospitals will take place in the third phase and total cost incurred will be approximately Rs 325 crores. This will create around 10000 MBBS and 8000 post graduate seats in the Government sector. The doctor patient ratio as prescribed by WHO is 1 doctor per 1000 patients but in India this is 1 doctor per 1953 patients. The increase in medical professionals will certainly improve this ratio along with providing health care to the underserved areas like rural, hilly and tribal areas of India. This move by the Health Ministry will definitely improve the Health Index of our country.