Keonjhar: The government-run health service network in the district is on the verge of breakdown with a huge backlog of vacant posts for doctors.
Following absence of the required number of doctors in the rural health centres, quacks are cashing in on the situation.
The mineral-rich district, which is endemic in cases of malaria, dengue and outbreak of water-borne diseases, is facing acute shortage of doctors. At present 141 doctors are posted in government health care institutions in the district, which is home to 18 lakh people.
In the sanctioned 11 posts at Banshapala community health centre (CHC), eight are vacant; seven of 11 posts are vacant at the Telkoi dacility; of the 12 posts, six remain vacant at the Salania CHC; five of 11 posts are vacant at the Bhanda CHC and in case of the Padamapur, four of eight posts remain vacant. More so, the jail hospital, police hospital and the municipality hospital have no doctors. Of the 229 sanctioned posts of doctors, 88 posts are lying vacant in the district. The scenario of vacancies in doctor posts remains the same both in the rural and urban pockets. The district headquarters hospital, the premier government-run health centre, is also dogged by vacancies. Of the 52 sanctioned posts in the district headquarters hospital, 23 are falling vacant.
Doctors from headquarters hospital are deployed in the jail, police and municipality hospitals on rotation basis.
"The ground realities are grim, and the governmental health service has abysmally failed to cater to the needs of sick people spread across the district. It is apparent that health is no longer on the priority list of the state government. Poor people are left to fend for themselves as the health centres and dispensaries are left unmanned. It's the small children and pregnant women, who are suffering the most," said civil society activist Ramakant Sadangi.
"On the other hand, the doctors posted here are allegedly playing truant and have not reported for duty," said additional district medical officer B.B. Bal.
"We have written to the government for deployment of more doctors. Hopefully, our request will be addressed as the higher authorities have responded positively. The vacant posts are likely to be filled up shortly," he said.
