Bhubaneswar: Health minister Mukesh Mahaling told the assembly on Monday that 5,014 doctor posts are vacant in govt hospitals, especially in community health centres (CHCs) across the state. These include posts of 1,114 specialist doctors. The minister assured the vacant posts will be filled up using a multi-pronged recruitment strategy.
Data presented by the minister in the House revealed that out of 7,806 sanctioned posts in 375 CHCs, only 2,792 doctors are serving, leaving around 65% positions vacant. Ganjam district faces the most severe shortage with 450 vacant doctor posts.
Vacancies in specialist doctor positions is particularly high, with merely 386 working compared to 1,500 sanctioned positions in CHCs across the state. Mayurbhanj district tops the list with 88 vacancies in specialist doctor posts, followed by Ganjam (87), Sundargarh (66) and Koraput (55).
To address the shortage of doctors, the govt plans to implement a multi-pronged recruitment strategy, the minister said. "We will fill these positions through the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), departmental promotions, contractual appointments and by engaging PG students and senior residents," Mahaling said. He added that paramedical vacancies would be filled through the Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC).
The minister also revealed that 196 doctors from various services, including Odisha Medical Health Service (OMHS), Odisha Medical Education Service (OMES) and Odisha Homeopathic Medical Service (OMHS), are currently absent without authorisation. He announced that disciplinary action would be initiated against the 196 absentee doctors who failed to report to their duties after taking leave.
Residents have expressed concerns about the impact of the shoratge of doctors on rural healthcare. "CHCs are the backbone of rural healthcare. Govt must act swiftly to appoint doctors as people are facing immense difficulties due to the vacancies," said Gatikrushna Sahu, a resident of Ganjam district.
"The healthcare crisis poses significant challenges to Odisha's public health system, particularly affecting rural areas where CHCs serve as primary healthcare providers for thousands of residents," said Pradipta Kumar Nayak, an activist.