Chhatrapur: A large number of vacant posts of doctors and nurses at health centres has affected medical services in Ganjam district, a report said.
The shortage has worsened the healthcare at the times of Covid when focus is on treating Covid cases. It was alleged that cancer, liver, high blood pressure, diabetes patients are deprived of availing proper treatment for last five months.
According to information from the district administration, 319 doctor posts are lying vacant at different hospitals in the district while there is a need for 537 doctors to look after the healthcare.
The poor healthcare scenario in the district can be gauged from the fact that only 218 doctors are managing health services in the district.
Besides, severe shortage of nurses has left an impact on the healthcare system. Only 96 nurses work at different primary and community health centres whereas the district actually requires 656 nurses.
The posts of 542 nurses are lying vacant. Moreover, posts of 63 pharmacists, 85 women health workers, 223 male health workers, 36 lab technicians, 13 radiographers, 13 Ayush doctors are lying vacant.
The CDMO has already apprised the state government about the shortage of doctors and nurses.
The district has 580 health centres including 460 sub-centres, 89 single-doctor public health centres (PHCs) and new PHCs, 30 community health centres (CHCs) and a district headquarters hospital here.
According to government norms, at least six doctors, including four specialists, should be posted in each CHC. Several hospitals, including the ones at Digapahandi, Patrapur and Kodala are running with doctor shortage.
PNN