‘Over 50% vacancies in specialist doctor posts’
U’khand has 16 public health experts out of approved 95; expert says vacancies affect fight against Covid-19
DEHRADUN: As many as 654 posts of specialist doctors are vacant in Uttarakhand out of the approved 1,147, according to a reply from the state health department to a right to information (RTI) application, even as the state government is in the midst of preparations to tackle a possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The RTI application was filed by Dehradun-based non-profit organisation, SDC Foundation, led by social activist Anoop Nautiyal who has been monitoring the pandemic situation since its outbreak in the state in March last year. The health department provided the data updated till April 30 this year.
According to the data, the state government has approved 1,147 doctors’ posts in 15 specialities, of which 493 are filled and 654, more than half, are vacant. Of the 95 posts of public health experts approved, only 16 are on the job. Similarly, of the 155 posts of paediatricians in the state, 64 are filled, a finding that comes amid experts’ warning that the third wave of Covid-19 could affect children the most.
As many 59 posts of gynaecologists have been filled out the sanctioned 165. The state has 117 posts of physicians vacant out of the approved 149. The government has approved 140 posts of surgeons, of which 46 have been filled. Also, 24 of the total 28 posts of psychiatrists and 28 of the 32 posts of dermatologists are vacant, according to the data.
There were some specialities in which over 90% of the posts have been filled. In some cases, recruitments have been done exceeding the approved posts. Forty-four eye surgeons have been recruited against 37 approved posts. Also, 54 orthosurgeons have been recruited against 37 posts.
Analysing the data, Nautiyal said that of the 13 districts in the state, Tehri Garhwal has the least number of doctors against the approved strength.
“Out of the total 98 approved posts in Tehri Garhwal, only 13 are filled and 85 are vacant. There is not a single surgeon, or ENT, forensic, skin, microbiology, and psychiatric specialist in the district. The district has only one child specialist out of 14 posts, one physician out of 15 and one public health specialist out of 12. There are only two gynaecologists out of the 15 posts. It has, however, 100% availability of ortho surgeons, eye surgeons and pathologists,” said Nautiyal.
“The numbers are alarming, especially when we are in middle of the pandemic. I urge the authorities to take stock of the situation and fill the vacancies of specialist doctors. A poor distribution of medical workforce is going to impact our response to Covid-19.”
He added, “The findings have a large implication for rural and hilly areas, which remain ignored in the public health system. The government needs to improve the health services in the areas.”
The government, however, said it is making all efforts to improve the health services in the state.
“The government is determined to improve the health services, especially in the hilly areas. We are also carrying out recruitments for doctors and other medical staff to fill the vacancies as soon as possible,” said Dhan Singh Rawat, minister of health and medical education.
In the 2021-22 state budget of ₹57,400 crore, the government made a provision of ₹2,313 crore for health, a 34% increase in comparison to the previous financial year.