Odisha: Jagatsinghpur district hospital reels under shortage of doctors, beds

Currently, the outpatient department with the 10 bedded ICU needs five doctors including one anaesthetist but no posting has been reported so far. According to the people, there are no doctors in the ICU for the last six months. 

Stating that the infrastructure work and bed provision would only remain on paper, the people told TNIE, "As many as 12 doctor posts are lying vacant and there are no neurology, pulmonary, anaesthesia specialists at the DHH too. Due to the absence of neurologists, patients are forced to travel to SCB MCH, Cuttack, either for treatment or any medical certificates. No surgery is being conducted at the DHH due to absence of anaesthetists." 

Chief district medical officer (CDMO) Khetramohan Dash said, "I have written a letter to the principal secretary, Health and Family Welfare department apprising him of the issues and I hope to receive a positive response soon." 

Some doctors in the hospital reportedly refer patients to other hospitals without treatment. An FIR was also filed against a doctor a month back after the latter was accused of turning away patients without providing any treatment.