Hyderabad: On World Health Day on April 7, a stark gap in Telangana’s healthcare has come into sharp focus. Despite steady progress in infrastructure and schemes, the state is struggling where it matters most. With just 30 health workers for every 10,000 population, Telangana records the lowest ratio among southern states, falling well short of the benchmark needed to ensure reliable and equitable care.The shortfall becomes more concerning when viewed against the broader goals of the World Health Organisation and the sustainable development framework, where health and well-being form a central pillar. The recommended norm of 44.5 healthcare workers per 10,000 population is considered essential for delivering basic services effectively. Telangana’s current position highlights a widening gap between policy ambition and on-ground capacity. Comparisons with neighbouring states further underline Telangana’s position. According to NITI Aayog’s SDG rankings for 2023-24, India averages 49.5 health workers per 10,000 people. Kerala leads with a robust 144, followed by Andhra Pradesh at 107, while Tamil Nadu and Karnataka each report 86—figures that sharply contrast with Telangana’s count. The problem is not isolated. States such as Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal also lag behind recommended levels, reflecting a wider national concern. A recent midterm review by the WHO underscores the scale of the challenge. India needs at least 1.8 million additional healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and midwives, to meet global standards. The issue is not just about numbers, but also balance and distribution, it said.Doc-nurse ratioData from the National Sample Survey Office points to a skewed doctor-to-nurse ratio of 1:1.3, revealing structural imbalances within the system. Equally troubling is the uneven spread of healthcare workers, with urban centres drawing a disproportionate share while rural regions remain underserved. This imbalance continues to limit access to essential services across both public and private sectors. As Telangana looks to strengthen its healthcare delivery, the data sends a clear message: Without a significant boost in trained manpower and better distribution, the goal of accessible and quality healthcare for all will remain difficult to achieve.
