Shortage of Doctors Affects Healthcare

Shortage of doctors in Government-run hospitals has affected healthcare services across 26 blocks in tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj district. Most of the Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Public Health Centers (PHCs) are being managed by one or two doctors. Sources said the district has 85 PHCs and area hospitals, 28 CHCs and four Sub-Divisional Hospitals (SDHs). Health centers under Karanjia sub-division has only five doctors out of the sanctioned strength of 24. Kaptipada, Sidamchandrapur, Dukura and Khunta CHCs has no specialists and medical officers. Similarly, doctors rarely visit the hospitals in hilly and forest areas of Kaptipada and Morada blocks of the district.

Locals of Dantiamuhan alleged that “We don’t find doctors in hospitals and most of the times, they turn up only on Fridays and Saturdays. As a result, seriously injured patients of accidents are forced to visit the district headquarters hospital (DHH) at Baripada.” On the other hand, healthcare services have been affected in Kaptipada CHC, which has 31 sub-centers, due to large-scale vacancies and poor infrastructure. While three sub-centers don’t have its own building, construction of eight others is being carried out. Similarly, buildings of four sub-centers are in a dilapidated condition. Superintendent of Udala Sub-Divisional Hospital Dr Sibananda Mohanty said at least 10 specialists and five medical officers’ post are lying vacant under the sub-division. Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Susil Kumar Kar said out of around 400 sanctioned posts of doctors, 200 posts are lying vacant in the district. Higher authorities have been apprised of the matter for filling up the vacant posts, he added. – New Indian Express