There is an 81% shortage of specialists in community health centres (CHC), the first point of contact for a patient with a specialist doctor. A commercialisationThe insertion of Section 10A in the Indian Medical Council Act was followed by an exponential rise in the number of private medical colleges. The regulatory authority has been unable to act despite the fact that over half the 60,000 medical students graduating every year are from private medical colleges. There is also an enabling provision for the government to regulate the fees of up to 40% seats in private medical colleges. In the end, the Bill seeks to make structural changes in a stagnant and increasingly exploitative health-care system.

Source: The Hindu March 19, 2018 18:33 UTC