Chandigarh: Despite tall claims by the ruling government to transform the health structure, the Rural health care facilities are in still dilapidated conditions in Punjab as it is reeling under severe shortage of specialist doctors.
According to the data revealed by the Union ministry, the state has only 25% specialist doctors against the required numbers at Community Health Centres (CHCs) in the rural area.
The data states that in 2005, the shortage of required specialist doctors was 52% while it has now risen to 75%.
The CHCs are block level government hospitals which offers OPD, IPD, emergency, round the clock delivery services to patients. It also provides surgery, gynaecology, paediatrics and general medicine health facilities. There are only 150 CHCs across Punjab for its rural population and each CHC has minimum 30 beds for IPD services. Likewise, CHCs also carried out all health care programs run by the health and family welfare ministery.
This state-wise details given by the Union Ministry in the Parliament in a reply to Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu and revealed that there is requirement of 600 specialist doctors in the state and only 151 are in position at Community Health Centres (CHCs).
Besides, there is also a shortage of sanction posts. Against the required strength, only 577 posts are sanctioned and out of the sanctioned posts 426 posts are lying vacant.
The ministry also informed that the shortfall increased in the last 18 years. In 2005, 226 (48.70%) specialist doctors were working at CHCs in the rural area against the need of 464 doctors which has risen to 600 doctors.
These specialist doctors include paediatricians, surgeons, obstetricians, gynaecologists and physicians.
Meanwhile, the government officials said that 90 new doctors would join the duties soon.