Bhubaneswar Faces Severe Doctor Shortage in Public Healthcare
Current Vacancy Statistics
Bhubaneswar is grappling with a significant shortage of doctors, which is placing immense pressure on Odisha’s public healthcare system. Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling revealed in the state Assembly on Monday that over half of the sanctioned doctor positions remain unfilled. Specifically, 60 percent of the approved doctor posts in government hospitals are vacant.
In response to a question raised by Ganeswar Behera (BJD), the Minister disclosed that out of a total of 15,774 sanctioned posts, 9,503 are currently unoccupied. The state has 4,929 regular doctors, alongside 1,135 contractual appointments. Additionally, there are 19 ad-hoc doctors, 110 doctors serving under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), and four funded through the corpus fund.
Government Initiatives to Address Shortages
To mitigate this doctor shortage, the Odisha government is taking proactive measures by establishing new medical colleges aimed at training a greater number of healthcare professionals. Furthermore, Minister Mahaling noted that the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has been directed to expedite the recruitment process for 5,248 vacant doctor positions.
Broader Context of Staffing Issues
This doctor shortage is not an isolated issue, as highlighted by recent reports indicating that over 40 percent of faculty positions are vacant at AIIMS, with 20 percent at JIPMER and 17 percent at PGI, as mentioned by the Health Minister in Parliament.