TV
The health services delivery at the Capital Hospital, the premier government hospital in Bhubaneswar, remains in dire straits with several doctor and nursing officer posts lying vacant.
As per the information tabled at the hospital executive committee meeting, of the total sanctioned 175 doctor posts, 111 are filled with 97 permanent and 14 contractual appointments.
The facility is running with 53 vacancies in nursing officer posts out of 214 sanctioned posts.
On average, while 352 patients are being admitted to this 750-bed hospital daily, around 5,000 patients from Bhubaneswar and nearby districts like Puri, Khurda and Nayagarh districts are visiting the facility’s OPD.
Also Read: Monkeypox scare: Odisha on alert after India reports first suspected case
The lack of doctors and nursing officers is taking a toll on the healthcare service.
“I have been standing in the queue for hours. Since only one doctor is attending to the patients, whom we should complain,” rued Atul Chandra Beura, a patient.
Echoing the same, another patient Kora Seth said, “Due to the shortage of doctors, patients are suffering a lot.”
In 2021, on average 57,098 patients were visiting the hospital’s OPD per month. In 2023, the number went up to 1,05,000.
The lack of doctors and the ever-increasing number of patients have left the authority in a cleft stick.
“When we had more doctors, we would assign four doctors to the casualty. Now we have to manage with three. There is a deficit of 59 doctors and 53 nursing officers. We have been taking it up with several forums and sending monthly reports to the government. If the posts are filled up, the job of the doctors would be smoother,” said Dr Dilip Kumar Panda, Director in charge of Capital Hospital.
When asked, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said, “The Mohan Majhi government is committed to improving the healthcare service. As many as 3000 doctors will be appointed. Similarly, para-medical staff will also be appointed. Soon the situation will improve.”
