Balasore: Health care service in northern part of Odisha has been affected as several doctors of various departments have been found missing from their place of postings for years despite the government's orders asking them to report for their duties.

In this district, as many as nine physicians are not in their place of posting although their postings are effected for more than three years. The district authorities said they had no idea about the whereabouts of the missing doctors.

Chief district medical officer Bibekananda Das said: "Although according to our record nine doctors are posted in the district, I could find only one in our record, and that, too, the medico in Khaira health centre has been on leave for more than three years after joining duty. I am not aware where are the other doctors," he said.

Last week, the state government had published a notice containing the list of 108 doctors across the state, including 17 from Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj, who are absent on various reasons, including not joining, absent from place of posting unauthorisedly or on long leave wilfully. The notice also said they should submit their representation, along with supporting documents within one month of notice, else disciplinary action would be initiated against them.

Due to non-availability of doctors, mainly in the key departments, patients are being exploited in private facilities. Das said the district had a shortfall of 100 doctors. Not only the headquarters, but also the peripheral hospitals are feeling the pinch of shortage of doctors. The headquarters hospital, which is upgraded to cater to the need of medical college, still does not have a psychiatrist. "The ENT and radiology departments, which did not have doctors, were provided with the medicos. One urologist visits from Baripada every week thrice to attend to the patients. There are nearly 100 posts of doctors yet to be filled," he said.