India Faces Significant Shortage of Doctors and Nurses, Study Reveals
Summary
India faces a severe shortage of doctors, nurses and specialist health workers, with far fewer professionals than needed to meet rising healthcare demand. The report also notes that Nepal is dealing with a nurse shortage and migration of health workers abroad, straining services outside Kathmandu.
Key Points
- India needs about 1.9 million more doctors and 7.6 million more nurses to provide adequate healthcare to its population.
- The shortage is especially severe in mental health, nutrition, rehabilitation, vision care and other specialist services.
- Nepal has 1.86 doctors and 4.42 nurses per 1,000 population, but still faces an immediate shortage of around 15,000 nurses.
- The report says the world still needs 34.4 million more health workers, including 23.9 million nurses and midwives.
