Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
India

India Facing Shortage Of 6 Lakh Doctors, 20 Lakh Nurses, Claims Study

Darpan News Desk IANS, 15 Apr, 2019 05:05 PM

    India has shortage of an estimated 600,000 doctors and 2 million nurses, say scientists who found that lack of staff who are properly trained in administering antibiotics is preventing patients from accessing live-saving drugs.


    Even when antibiotics are available, patients are often unable to afford them. High out-of-pocket medical costs to the patient are compounded by limited government spending for health services, according to the report by the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP) in the US.


    In India, 65 per cent of health expenditure is out-of-pocket, and such expenditures push some 57 million people into poverty each year.


    The majority of the world’s annual 5.7 million antibiotic-treatable deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries where the mortality burden from treatable bacterial infections far exceeds the estimated annual 700,000 deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections.


    Researchers at CDDEP in the US conducted stakeholder interviews in Uganda, India, and Germany, and literature reviews to identify key access barriers to antibiotics in low-, middle- and high-income countries.


    Health facilities in many low- and middle-income countries are substandard and lack staff who are properly trained in administering antibiotics.


    In India, there is one government doctor for every 10,189 people (the World Health Organization recommends a ratio of 1:1,000), or a deficit of 600,000 doctors, and the nurse:patient ratio is 1:483, implying a shortage of two million (20 lakh) nurses.


    “Lack of access to antibiotics kills more people currently than does antibiotic resistance, but we have not had a good handle on why these barriers are created,” said Ramanan Laxminarayan, director at CDDEP.


    The findings of the report show that even after the discovery of a new antibiotic, regulatory hurdles and substandard health facilities delay or altogether prevent widespread market entry and drug availability,” Laxminarayan said in a statement.


    “Our research shows that of 21 new antibiotics entering markets between 1999 and 2014, less than five were registered in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Just the mere existence of an effective antibiotic does not mean that they are available in countries where they are most needed,” said Laxminarayan.


    Worldwide, the irrational use of antibiotics and poor antimicrobial stewardship lead to treatment failure and propagate the spread of drug resistance which, in turn, further narrows the available array of effective antibiotics.


    Research and development for new antimicrobials, vaccines, and diagnostic tests has slowed since the 1960s as profitable investment in this area is limited by low sales volumes, short duration of treatment, competition with established products and less expensive generics, and the possibility that resistance will rapidly emerge.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Trinamool MP Moon Moon Sen's Assets up Fourfold in 5 Years

    Yesteryears' actress and Trinamool Congress MP from Bankura, Moon Moon Sen, who is now contesting the Lok Sabha polls from West Bengal's Asansol seat, has declared that her movable assets have soared over four times to Rs 4.68 crore during the last five years.  

    Trinamool MP Moon Moon Sen's Assets up Fourfold in 5 Years

    UK Flags 'Financial Implications' Of Jallianwala Bagh Apology

    UK Foreign Office minister Mark Field told a debate on "Jallianwala Bagh massacre" at Westminster Hall in the House of Commons complex that repeatedly issuing apologies for events related to the British Raj came with their own problems

    UK Flags 'Financial Implications' Of Jallianwala Bagh Apology

    Punjab Bureau Of Investigation To Probe Drug Inspector Neha Shorie's Killing Case

    Neha Shorie, posted as Zonal Licensing Authority with the Drug and Food Chemical Laboratory in Punjab's Kharar, was shot dead at her office by a man.

    Punjab Bureau Of Investigation To Probe Drug Inspector Neha Shorie's Killing Case

    Rafale: SC Rejects Centre's Privilege Plea, To Hear Review, Arun Shourie Delighted Over Verdict

    Review petition would be decided on merits after considering three documents objected to by govt

    Rafale: SC Rejects Centre's Privilege Plea, To Hear Review, Arun Shourie Delighted Over Verdict

    Capt Amarinder Singh Complains To CEC Against Poll Code ‘Violations’ By PM, BJP

    Capt Amarinder Singh Complains To CEC Against Poll Code ‘Violations’ By PM, BJP
    In his letter to CEC Sunil Arora, Amarinder protested against the PM using the success of the Balakot air strikes by the IAF and the sacrifice of the martyrs of the Pulwama attacks to woo first-time voters.

    Capt Amarinder Singh Complains To CEC Against Poll Code ‘Violations’ By PM, BJP

    Ask Centre To Press For UK PM’s Apology On Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Sidhu To Capt

    Ask Centre To Press For UK PM’s Apology On Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Sidhu To Capt
    Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has urged Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to write to the Union government to seek an apology from the British Prime Minister for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

    Ask Centre To Press For UK PM’s Apology On Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Sidhu To Capt