An acute shortage of doctors continues to affect the healthcare system in the State. While as many as 6,315 doctors are required to provide health services in the Government-run hospitals, there are now less than 4,000 appointed in these facilities.
According to the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) guidelines, Odisha needs at least 6,315 doctors. But there are only 4,877 sanctioned posts in the Odisha Medical Service cadre by the end of September this year. Of the 4,877 posts, while 1,085 are lying vacant, among the number of doctors, who are not joining their job or on leave, their number would exceed over 1,500, sources said.
A total of 567 faculty posts are vacant in the three Government-run medical colleges, the Government Dental College and the Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre.
Similarly, around 500 homoeopathic and ayurvedic medical officers’ posts are vacant while 192 faculty posts lie unfulfilled in the Government-run ayurvedic and homeopathic medical colleges.
So, over 4,000 doctors’ posts are vacant in allopathic, homoeopathic and ayurvedic medical colleges and hospitals. Meanwhile, s few posts have been filled up, claimed Government officials.
The situation is most awful in all the tribals-dominated districts while it is seen to be considerably normal in the coastal districts and the State capital.
The PG course at the Abhin Chandra Homoeopathic Medical College in Bhubaneswar has been closed for the past three years due to shortage of faculty members.
As a similar situation continues in the State for over the years, very often the Medical Council of India (MCI) authorities are threatening for closure of the medical colleges.
With Finance Minister Pradip Kumar Amat is now assigned the additional charge of Health portfolio following resignation of Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, the issue of the doctor and medical staff shortage is expected to be resolved as funds flow for recruitment of doctors would not pose a problem, feel officials.
Notably, the average life expectancy (longevity) in Odisha is less than that in States like Kerala. Besides, the infant mortality rate (IMR) and the maternal mortality rate (MMR) are quite higher in Odisha than other States.
And with 70 children having already lost their lives due to Japanese Encephalitis in Malkangiri, the State Government is facing a tough time to handle the situation.