Revista de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento em Educação em Saúde

Implementation of Diplomate of National Board (DNB) Programme Adopted Strategies to Target Shortages of Medical Specialists and Transforming Health Education Gujarat Scenario

Abstract

Snehal Parmar*

Medical specialists are scarce in India, and the numbers are disproportionately lower in the public sector, at the Community Health Centre (CHC) level and above. Even district hospitals in several states have an acute shortage of medical specialists. There is a huge potential for starting DNB courses in State Government District and Sub-district Hospitals to overcome shortages of Medical Specialists at these levels. NHM provides monetary support under the resource envelopes of the states to start DNB courses in district hospitals. Gujarat has a gap of 1200 specialists in public sector hospitals, when compared to sanctioned posts, wherein only 50% are filled. After various internal assessments state had identified 18 DHs and 28 SDHs to apply for DNB programme during 2019 accreditation cycle to overcome shortages of medical specialists. Applications for total 46 districts and sub-district hospitals have been done for seeking approval of 224 seats. Gujarat has lodged highest number of application during 2019 cycle across the country. These applications are in process and results are yet to be declared by NBE.