Union Health Secretary, Shri Apurva Chandra, recently released the “Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure and Human Resources) 2022-23,” an annual publication that provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s healthcare infrastructure and human resources. This publication, previously known as “Rural Health Statistics,” has been a crucial source of reliable data since 1992, offering valuable insights to policymakers, health administrators, and planners. The document is instrumental in guiding effective planning, monitoring, and management of health services across India, ensuring a more equitable distribution of resources and services. Shri Apurva Chandra emphasized the importance of the publication in providing much-needed information on manpower and infrastructure within the National Health Mission (NHM). He noted that the publication allows for a cross-analysis across states, highlighting both the availability and deficiencies in healthcare manpower and infrastructure. This information is very important for understanding the needs and priorities of different authorities, which can enable the design of policies and campaigns. By comparing the healthcare facilities and workforce between 2005 and 2023, and especially from 2022 to 2023, this article will allow stakeholders to track progress, identify in areas and assess the adequacy of resources.
The report consists of two parts. Part 1 provides an overview of the Indian healthcare system and presents information about each state and union territory with the help of maps and diagrams to make it clear. Part 2 is divided into 9 sections that provide in-depth information on health facilities, staff and qualifications. This structure makes it easier for policymakers and planners to assess the distribution and adequacy of healthcare resources and facilities, thereby enabling them to develop targeted strategies for optimizing health service delivery. The data also serves as a vision document for understanding regional needs, which facilitates more equitable distribution and development of health services. As of March 31, 2023, India’s healthcare system includes 1,69,615 Sub-Centres (SCs), 31,882 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), 6,359 Community Health Centres (CHCs), 1,340 Sub-Divisional/District Hospitals (SDHs), 714 District Hospitals (DHs), and 362 Medical Colleges (MCs) serving both rural and urban populations. These facilities are supported by a robust workforce, including 2,39,911 Health Workers at SCs, 40,583 Doctors/Medical Officers at PHCs, 26,280 Specialists and Medical Officers at CHCs, and 45,027 Doctors and Specialists at SDHs and DHs. The publication further provides insights into the nursing and paramedical staff across these facilities, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the healthcare workforce. Highlighting the need for integration, the Health Secretary stressed the importance of connecting the Health Management Information System (HMIS) Portal with other ministry portals, such as the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal, to streamline data management and reduce the burden on health workers. The publication “Indian Health Dynamics” is available from the website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and will serve as a valuable resource for stakeholders in planning, managing and improving the health system of India.