Bad News for Healthcare

Times of India [ 16 M1y 2011 ] provides following statistics of “ Doctor to people “ ratios :

Ø   Germany  ……………………..  1 :  296

Ø   USA  ………………………………. 1 :  350

Ø   UK  ………………………………..  1 :  469

Ø   Global Average ……………..  1 :  666

Ø   India  ……………………………… 1  : 1700

And it seems, Indian situation will get worse with the number of students appearing for All India Pre-Medical Test [ AIPMT ], dropping by almost 50 % over the last 5 years.

Reasons advanced :

Ø   Many more years of college / internship as compared to other professions

Ø   Too much rigorous training

Ø   Medical profession does not allow for making quick money

Ø   Biology involves mugging

Ø   A doctor can start earning a proper living when he is past 30 years of age as against an engineer / MBA earning a decent salary at 23

Ø   Longer working hours and less leisure hours

With regards

Hemen  Parekh