Doctor crunch takes healthcare in Nabarangpur for a toss; ‘poor’ BJD policy to blame?

The healthcare system in the Nabarangpur district is in deep crisis, as a severe shortage of doctors continues to hamper services. Sources reported that the district is witnessing an ‘exodus’ of doctors in the wake of a controversial categorization policy introduced by the previous BJD government.

The reports also added that only around 40% of sanctioned doctors are actively working in the district, prompting growing demands for urgent policy review from both healthcare workers and residents.

Deserted by Doctors, Derailed by Policy

Despite being a remote and tribal-dominated district lacking in road and rail connectivity, Nabarangpur has been classified under lower-tier categories (V1 and V2) in the Odisha government’s doctor categorization scheme.

As a result of this classification, the incentive pay and career benefits for doctors serving in difficult areas become very low.

Due to this lower categorization, doctors are reluctant to stay in the district, resulting in frequent transfers, long leaves, or resignations. “Whoever gets posted here either leaves soon or never returns after pursuing higher education,” said a senior staffer from the Umerkote sub-division.

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Vacant Positions, Overburdened Staff

According to data from the district health department, of the 395 sanctioned doctor posts, only 214 are technically occupied. 

Shockingly, sources reported that just 155 doctors are actively serving, while the rest are on long leave, pursuing postgraduate studies, or have left the district entirely. Additionally, vacancies remain in 181 posts, with critical gaps even in dental services, with only 5 out of 12 sanctioned dental surgeons currently present.

Health centers in interior blocks like Umerkote, Jharigaon, and Raighar report similar conditions. At the Pujariguda cluster health center in Umerkote alone, only 11 out of 26 sanctioned doctors are available.

The Classification Crisis

Introduced in 2015 by the then BJD government, the categorization system ranks health institutions as V1 to V4, offering graded incentives.

Primary and cluster health centers under V1 get Rs 10,000/month, V2 Rs 20,000, V3 Rs 30,000, and V4 Rs 40,000. District headquarters hospitals and sub-divisional hospitals get slightly different slabs, ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹20,00,0, depending on the category.

Despite its geographical isolation, poor infrastructure, and challenging terrain, only two hospitals in Nabarangpur are classified as V4. The majority, 28, are V2, and 20 are V3 and receive lower incentive levels.

Reports state that this has led to widespread dissatisfaction among doctors, who feel their hardships are not adequately compensated.

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Ground Realities Defy Policy Labels

In several interior villages, there are still no pucca roads or electricity. Patients continue to be carried on cots for miles due to a lack of transport. “Many tribal hamlets haven’t even seen electric light yet. How can this region not qualify for the highest hardship incentive?” questioned Pushparaj Nayak, a resident of Gumaguda.

CDMO Urges Reassessment

Dr. Santosh Kumar Panda, the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Nabarangpur, confirmed the staff crunch and linked it directly to the categorization system.

“There’s an urgent need for the government to reassess and upgrade the classification of Nabarangpur’s health facilities,” he said, adding that such a move would help address the chronic doctor shortage and improve healthcare delivery in this underdeveloped district.

With growing public pressure and critical gaps in health infrastructure, all eyes are now on the state government.