Years after Dana Majhi incident, proper healthcare in Odisha tribal-dominated districts still a distant dream

The image of Dana Majhi carrying his dead wife on his shoulders for more than 10km can never be erased from our minds. It became a piece of international news and the world took notice of the poor state of public healthcare in Odisha.

Years have passed by, but the situation remains the same. While the former Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government claimed to spend crores of rupees to transform the healthcare system, little has changed on the ground.

A glaring example is the plight of healthcare in the tribal-dominated Malkangiri district. As per reports, as many as 238 doctor positions are lying vacant with more staff nurses and other health workers yet to be appointed in the district.

As per statistics, Malkangiri district has 382 doctor positions while only 144 are appointed now, with the remaining 238 remaining vacant. Similarly, only 14 specialists have been appointed out of the total 56 vacancies.

Similarly, there is a requirement of at least 89 doctors in the 300-bedded Malkangiri DHH, but there are only 43 now. Moreover, out of the total 1,015 staff and health workers needed, there are only 617 appointed now.

With most positions lying vacant, the tribals here have no choice but to depend on quacks, superstitious beliefs or in 'bhagwan saha bharosa’. 

“A new doctor has been appointed just six months back. Otherwise, the Matapakha and the CHC were in the hands of a pharmacist. There is a problem whenever the doctor goes on leave. Then, the pharmacist is seen treating the patients,” alleged a local.

In 2021, the then CM Naveen Patnaik had launched CM’s Air Health Service (Mukhyamantri Bayu Swasthya Seva to provide free health services to patients in remote areas of Odisha, including Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Nuapada.

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However, the air service is now stopped for reasons best known to the authorities concerned.

When contacted Dr. Brajabandhu Das, Malkangiri DHH, CDMO, said, “We have appraised the government for the need of doctors. Necessary steps will be taken by the government.”