Odisha Assembly concerned over shortage of doctors

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Mar 20, 2015 at 6:31 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Mar 20:

Members in the Odisha Assembly today expressed grave concern over the shortage of doctors in the state.

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Raising the issue during Question Hour, Congress member Tara Prasad Bahinipati said the state has 11,540 doctors. As against 4843 approved posts of doctors, there are only 4343 doctors.

Though provisions are being made to provide doctors in the remote areas of the state, the doctors are expressing their unwillingness to work there, he added.

“There is no shortage of doctors in the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. There is shortage of doctors at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Brahmapur and VSS Medical College and Hospital at Burla. There is no problem in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar as there are a number of private hospitals in the twin city. But see the plights of the patients in Koraput and Bolangir. Where would they go? The state government has announced medical colleges and hospitals in these areas. But it is yet to lay foundation stone. I would request the minister to visit the neighbouring states and study the health services there. The state government must frame laws to stop the doctors of Odisha going out to other states. The government should inform the House as to when it is going to provide adequate doctors for Koraput district”, Bahinipati said.

In his reply, Health and Family Welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said the state government has appointed 400 ad hoc doctors to provide services in the remote areas of the state.

Besides, efforts are on to open five new medical colleges in the state, he added.