Bhubaneswar: A lone doctor is catering to 1,735 people in Odisha, health minister Mukesh Mahaling informed the assembly on Monday, compared to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended ratio of 1:1,000, with experts raising concerns about the quality of healthcare.
Mahaling said around 37% (5,834) of the total sanctioned doctor posts are lying vacant in the state. “Out of 946 sanctioned posts of specialist medical officers in the district headquarters hospitals (DHHs), 176 are lying vacant,” the minister added.
“Many community health centres (CHC)s do not have adequate doctors. Patients don’t get proper attention in the govt hospitals due to a shortage of doctors. It is a matter of concern,” said Chittaranjan Das, former director of Capital Hospital.
He said only 2,792 doctors are currently serving in CHCs against 7,806 sanctioned posts. “It paints a grim picture of govt hospitals. Another important aspect is the retention of newly appointed doctors in PHCs and CHCs. Govt should take proper steps to motivate young doctors to work in these health facilities,” he added.
Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra, former medical superintendent of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, said doctor posts are lying vacant because many young medical professionals are not interested in working in rural PHCs and CHCs due to a lack of logistics, required manpower, accommodation, and a safe environment.
“Govt should solve the ground-level issues to attract young doctors to the govt hospitals and hold recruitment now to fill up the vacant posts. Retaining doctors in periphery hospitals is more important than young doctors passing out of medical colleges,” said Mishra.
Manoj Majhi, a patient from Koraput district, said doctors should be appointed in PHCs and CHCs to help locals. “We do not have money to travel to cities for treatment,” he added.
“Govt is taking necessary steps to fill up vacant doctor posts through Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) and Odisha Subordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC), promotion and contractual appointment. OPSC was requested last month to select 5,248 doctors,” said Mahaling.