Baramulla, May 30: Out of 313 sanctioned posts of doctors for the district here, 183 are lying vacant. This has severely hobbled the provision of healthcare for the 10 lakh population of the district.
In the District hospital alone, out of 67 sanctioned posts of doctors, 29 are vacant. The shortage has been crippling for an institution that has catered to around 243806 patients in its Outpatient Department last year.
As per official figures, there are 200 health centers in the district besides the district hospital. There are 79 sanctioned posts of specialists and 234 posts of Assistant Surgeons. But with a majority of the posts lying vacant, the district faces a healthcare crisis.
“These posts are vacant for the past several years. Despite several communications, the Government has not appointed these doctors” said an official pleading anonymity.
In addition to the existing staff of doctors at District Hospital Baramulla, the Directorate of Health Srinagar vide order no 235 dated: 19.4.2010 created 80 posts of doctors. However despite having cabinet approval for the creation of doctors, the directorate of health never bothered to fill up these posts, leaving the institution to buckle under the growing number of patients.
“No one is bothered about the conditions under which a doctor performs here. If something goes wrong there is such hue and cry everywhere.  But with such a huge flow of patients and severe shortage of doctors, how can one perform to his best” said a doctor in OPD section of the hospital.
The deteriorating condition of health sector in rural areas according to experts can never be improved if the doctor, patient ratio is not improved.
“Last month union health minister (Ghulam Nabi Azad) announced the construction of 12 new hospitals in the state. However, instead of opening new hospitals the government could have strengthened the existing hospitals with the adequate staff and the necessary infrastructure,” said a doctor.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 IST