The annual economic survey released on thursday says Indea needs 6800 more hospitals in rural areas to provide basic health facilities to people. The Survey also says there are lot of glitches in the National Rural Health Mission and it needs to be ironed out quickly to improve the health infrastructure.

The survey presented in the parliament says there is still shortage of around 4000 primary healthcare centers and around 2000 community healthcare centers as per 2001 population norms. Which could way higher if 2010 population is taken in to account.

The survey also says 29 percent of the healthcare facilities are in rented buildings. Poor Maintenance and high Absenteeism of employees in the rural areas are the main problems in the rural areas. Non-availabilty of Basic facilities in these Healthcare facilities in also a bottle neck in delivering healthcare in these areas.

Though significant improvements are made in these areas its far behind when compared to some developing countries like China and Srilanka. The Survey Said.

Underlining some NRHM shortcomings that have also been pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the survey said: “Release of funds to state health societies and consequently to district and block levels require further streamlining to ensure prompt and effective utilisation of funds”.

The survey also said that efforts are on to better the indicator and the infant mortality rate is expected to reach 30 per every 100,000 live births against the current level of 53 by 2012.