Assembly discusses dearth of doctors

The Statesman, June 13, 2009
Statesman News Service

BHUBANESWAR, 12 JUNE: The perennial problem of dearth of doctors that is hindering health care across the state figured yet again in the Assembly today. Several members, cutting across party lines, expressed concern and urged upon the government to initiate attractive emolument package to lure medical practitioners.
Members also wanted the government to contemplate on direct recruitment of doctors since routing it through the Orissa Public Service Commission was a time consuming process.
Others suggested that at the time of admission to medical colleges, the government should obtain a mandatory undertaking from each student that he or she will work for at least five years within the state.
Mr Jitu Patnaik, MLA, pointed out at the sorry state of affairs in Joda area of Keonjhar district. A 30 bed hospital was started and the government took over the hospital in 1996 but till date there is no doctor and the hospital is locked. People have dug up areas close to the hospital and even its boundary wall has collapsed, he alleged.
Members from Kalahandi, Angul-Talcher belt, Sundergarh and other districts also drew attention of the minister on the large number of vacancies in their districts.
Health minister Mr Prasanna Acharya informed the members that a total of 251 posts of specialist and 714 posts of assistant surgeon rank doctors were vacant.
Listing out the steps taken by the government, he said, chief district medical officers had been directed to recruit doctors, including retired doctors on contractual basis.
The demands of doctors had been met and their salary emoluments revised to made the service attractive, he informed while declaring that recently, the government had decided that a special secretary post will be reserved for doctors.
The health minister said 168 ambulances will be provided under the NRHM scheme and district level medical officers have been asked to send it their requirement in this regard. He told the members that contractual appointment of doctors including retired doctors had been done and the Orissa Public Service Commission has been requested to release panel of doctors.