1 doctor for 1,000 people: WHO 'standard' that never was

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:24:26 +0000
India

The widely cited 1 doctor per 1,000 population ratio is a myth, the WHO has clarified. This figure, often used by governments to justify expanding medical colleges, lacks WHO backing. Experts emphasize that health workforce planning must consider unique national needs, not a universal benchmark. The actual WHO threshold for essential health services is higher and more nuanced.