Acute shortage of doctors hits medical services in East Godavari district

RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM : A large number of vacant posts of doctors at many government hospitals has impacted medical services in East Godavari district.The government hospital at Rajamahendravaram caters to the medical needs of denizens of Rajamahendravaram, seven mandals in Agency area and six mandals in East Godavari district. On an average, 1,200 persons enrol in the hospital as outpatients, while 350 undergo treatment as inpatients. Several doctors from primary health centres are sent on deputation to work in hospitals. Various social and political organisations have been demanding filling up of vacancies of doctors, but to no avail.

The government has been following the staff pattern of the eighties, undermining the need to recruit more employees in tandem with the growth in population.Speaking to Express, Rajamahendravaram GGH medical superintendent T Ramesh Kishore exuded confidence that soon the government will fill the vacant posts.He said, “We have apprised the State government about the shortage of doctors. The government will soon appoint some specialists in the hospital.”

According to sources, not many doctors are willing to work in rural areas. 
In the Mother and Child ward, there are six doctors and 29 staffers. On an average, 125 persons visit the hospital daily as outpatients and around 170 operations are performed. Four years ago, maternity ward was upgraded and renamed as Mother and Child ward by spending crores of rupees. But, many patients are still being referred to Kakinada GGH. “Non-availability of doctors at the hospital is severely hampering medical services at a time when widespread cases of viral fever and other diseases are being reported,” said a patient at Rajamahendravaram GGH.

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