In order to overcome the human resource shortage in the health sector, the government has increased the number of medical seats at the post-graduate level in the past three years and has set up 46 new medical colleges, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad said Friday. Azad told a meeting here of the parliamentary consultative committee attached to his ministry: "In the last three years alone, the number of post-graduate seats has increased by more than 9,100. The number of post-graduate seats available in this academic year is 22,194 as against 13,043 in the year 2008-09." According to the Health Ministry, the existing doctor-patient ratio is one doctor for 2,000 patients and the target is one doctor per 1,000 people. India has nearly 7.5 lakh registered doctors, of whom 5.5 lakh are in active service. For more information visit: http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2012/05/14/308--Efforts-made-to-strengthen-medical-education-Health-Minister-.html