The shortage of doctors and paramedical staff at primary health centres has given a double blow to tribal people in the Agency areas who are already in the grip of fast spreading viral fevers.
Viral fevers are spreading fast in several districts being lashed by rains and the scarcity of qualified medical professionals is forcing the helpless people to depend on quacks for treatment.
According to the official data, 608 civil assistant surgeon posts have been lying vacant for one year in the state. There are 1,624 primary health centres (PHCs) across the state.
Of the sanctioned 3,584 civil assistant surgeon posts, 2,438 posts have been filled. Of the remaining 1,012, as many as 404 posts have been filled on contract basis, leaving 608 posts vacant.
The district-wise vacancies in doctor posts are as follows: East Godavari (62), Kadapa (49), Krishna (45), Karimnagar (44), Anantapur (39), Mahbubnagar (38), Guntur (33), Chittoor (33), West Godavari (28), Kurnool (28), Adilabad (28), Nellore (27), Medak (24), Nizambad (23), Khammam (21) and Warangal (17).
Doctors who have completed MBBS are not showing interest in working in districts due to lack of opportunities and lesser pay.They want to be paid more if they are to work in districts.