Pharmacist solely runs Prayagraj PHC for 5 years amid doctor shortage

Written by Medical Dialogues Team Published On 2025-06-01T11:30:20+05:30 | Updated On 1 Jun 2025 11:30 AM IST

Prayagraj PHC’s Doctor Vacancy Highlights Need for Administrative Reform

Prayagraj: Amid a prolonged shortage of doctors and other medical staff, the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Lalgopalganj, under the Kaudihar block of Soraon tehsil in Prayagraj, has been functioning for the past five years with only a single pharmacist acting as the sole healthcare provider, attending to 20 to 30 patients daily.

Rajesh Maurya, the pharmacist at Lalgopalganj PHC, has been unofficially fulfilling the role of a doctor, both prescribing and dispensing medicines based on what he considers the most appropriate treatment. He mentioned that, with the Medical Officer in Charge (MOIC) post remaining vacant for over five years, he refers serious cases to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kaudihar, located about 20 kilometres away.

According to the news reports, Dr. Amit Kumar, appointed MOIC of the Lalgopalganj PHC on July 3, 2020, was temporarily attached to the District Hospital in Gautambuddha Nagar during the COVID-19 pandemic on August 29, 2020, to help manage the patient surge. Since then, he has not returned to his original post.

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Despite multiple letters from Prayagraj’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Arun Kumar Tiwari, to senior officials in Lucknow, no action has been taken to relieve Dr. Kumar from his temporary assignment. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Dr Tiwari said, “Dr Amit Kumar continues to draw a salary for working in Prayagraj but has failed to join duties here, as he has not been relieved for over five years. Patients visiting the PHC are suffering, yet no action has been initiated by officials in Lucknow.”

Dr. Amit Kumar confirmed the situation, explaining that he was initially sent on a temporary basis to manage the heavy rush of COVID-19 patients. However, the hospital superintendent has not issued a relieving letter since then, as the ongoing shortage of doctors has prevented his transfer.

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According to Hindustan Times, Dr Anurag Tiwari, superintendent of CHC Kaudihar, under which the PHC functions, confirmed the situation. “It’s true that the PHC has been running without an MOIC. The issue lies with the higher authorities in Lucknow, who are not taking the necessary steps. Sadly, it’s the patients who continue to suffer,” he said.

As per government guidelines, every PHC should have at least one doctor and support staff for a population of 30,000, yet this basic requirement has remained unmet in Lalgopalganj for more than five years.

Primary health CentrePHC doctorsdoctor shortagerural healthcaremedical officer

Medical Dialogues Team