The Comptroller and Auditor General unveiled an alarming shortage of medical staff – doctors and paramedics – in the public healthcare institutions on the last day of the ongoing session of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.

The CAG report highlighted that 9,983 healthcare workers were appointed during 2016-2022, yet there is a shortage of 23% of doctors, 6% of nurses and 23% of paramedics in Gujarat as of March 2022.

Twenty two out of the 33 districts in the state reported a shortage of over 25% shortage of doctors. The shortage of paramedics has also seen a rise in 19 districts. This situation calls for ensuring geographically equitable distribution of doctors and paramedics in Primary Healthcare Facilities (PHCFs).

As many as 28% of the posts of specialist doctors in Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHs) are vacant, 36% in District Hospitals (DHs), and 51% in Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) are vacant.

Moreover, 18% of posts of doctors, 7% of posts of nurses, and 46% of posts of paramedics in DHs are still vacant.

The situation is also alarming in the National Health Mission, where 1,510 posts (18%) out of the 8,208 sanctioned posts are vacant. Apart from this, there is a 76% shortage of academic staff in nursing colleges and schools as per the norms of the Indian Nursing Council.

In this adverse situation, it is imperative for the state government to take immediate steps to appoint people in healthcare facilities along with medical and nursing colleges. Without addressing the workforce gap in healthcare, there will be challenges in improving the quality of public health services.

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