PHULBANI: Large-scale vacancies in the doctor and specialist posts have hit medical services in this tribal-inhabited district.
Of the 147 sanctioned doctor posts, 55 are lying vacant in various public health centres and community health centres. The district headquarters hospital has just 12 doctors against the sanctioned 32.
Till May 2009, there was only Specialist and MBBS doctor posts in the headquarters hospital. The posts were later designated as Joint Director Level-I, Joint Director Level-II, Specialist senior class-I and Junior doctor as per seniority.
For the Kandhamal hospital, the State Government has sanctioned five Joint Director Level-I posts out of which three posts of Medicine, Gynaecology and Anaesthesia are lying vacant. Of the 12 Joint Director Level-II posts, 11 posts in ENT, Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, Skin, TB and Chest departments are lying vacant.
Of the four Specialist Senior class-1 posts and the 11 junior doctor posts, three each are lying vacant. This apart, there are vacancies in medical staff posts as well.
CDMO N C Behera said the Health Department is being informed about the vacancies every month.