Shortage of doctors paralyses healthcare services in Angul

Angul: More than 40 government hospitals in Angul district are facing an acute shortage of doctors throwing healthcare services out of gear. With more than 50 doctor posts lying vacant in the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), patients visiting the hospitals are going through a harrowing time.

Adding to the woes is the absenteeism of available doctors, rued a patient at the DHH. "The doctors come here hardly for four to five days in a month,"said he."My nephew is ill and I reached here at the hospital only to find it locked. The doctors have not visited the hospital since last two to three months," said a local resident Bishnu Mahalik.

As per reports, of the total 198 doctor posts in the district more than 106 are lying vacant. At the Angul DHH, in place of 36 sanctioned posts, only 16 permanent and two contractual doctors are posted. The unavailability of doctors has forced people to rely on private healthcare services.

"While many posts are lying vacant the available doctors too are irregular. Patients are forced to pay up hefty sum at private clinics and nursing homes," said a social activist, Pramod Kumar Pradhan.

Angul Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Rabi Chandra Gadnaik said efforts are being made to improve the situation.

"An OPSC notification has been issued for 2500 vacant posts and doctors for the district will be appointed after the results are out. We hope the situation will improve after that. In the meantime, we have taken approval of the district collector for appointment of some nurses under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Trust Fund," said Pradhan.