Shortage of docs hits health services in Udham Singh Nagar

RUDRAPUR: The minuscule strength of doctors in government medical facilities across Udham Singh Nagar has triggered a healthcare crisis in the district, which has a population of over 18 lakh.


The number of doctors in the government hospitals and health centres of the district is less than half of the total sanctioned strength.

The 35 health centres across the district are running with just 101 doctors (including 36 doctors who work on contractual basis) against the sanctioned strength of 205 doctors. Similarly, district’s Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital is running with just 15 doctors against 35 sanctioned posts and LD Bhatt Hospital (in Kashipur) is running with only eight doctors against 31 sanctioned posts. Rudrapur’s Khatima Hospital also has 13 vacant doctor posts and is running with just seven doctors.

The condition of district’s six community health centres (CHC) and 26 primary health centers (PHC) is no different. CHC Jaspur has only four doctors against sanctioned posts of nine, CHC Bajpur has 11 vacant doctor positions and is running with just two doctors, and CHC Gadapur has eight sanctioned posts but only two doctors are posted there. CHC Kichha and CHC Sitarganj also have three and six vacant doctor posts respectively.

CHC Nanakmatta is the worst hit as the health centre, which has seven sanctioned doctor posts, is running without doctors. PHC Kelakhera is also going through the same crisis as the centre doesn’t have any doctor. The remaining 25 PHCs of the district are running with just one doctor as against five sanctioned posts at each centre.

Besides shortage of doctors, the hospitals in the district are also facing an acute shortage of para-medical staff. The "Khushiyon Ki Sawari" scheme for pregnant ladies has almost collapsed in the district due to the shortage of staff.

"Due to the lack of proper healthcare services in government hospitals, people are forced to go to private hospitals, which charge exorbitantly. District officials claim that only two dengue cases have been reported in Udham Singh Nagar but the actual situation can be adjudged by visiting private hospitals where wards are full with dengue patients. Government should quickly take steps to fill the vacant posts of doctors in the district,” Sanjay Juneja, president of the city traders' union, told TOI.

Another local Sushil Gava told TOI, "It's not just the unavailability of doctors but shortage of medicines and paramedics staff that is troubling for patients in the district. More than 600 patients come to district hospital everyday but the hospital refers most of the cases".

When queried about the matter, Dr Shailja Bhatt, chief medical officer (CMO) of the district, told TOI that the department is making every effort to end the shortage of doctors and paramedics by bringing in more contractual staff.

"Shortage of permanent doctors is a big challenge. The matter has been brought to the notice of the directorate of health services. We have been assured that the issue will be taken up with chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, who also holds the health ministry portfolio", Dr Bhatt added.