BERHAMPUR: An acute shortage of doctors at the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Paralakhemundi has exposed the fragile state of healthcare services in Gajapati. In an attempt to address the crisis, the health administration of Gajapati has reportedly engaged 14 specialist doctors from private hospitals in Srikakulam of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, using funds from the DHH’s patient welfare scheme.
The specialists are said to be providing services on different days under contractual arrangement. The Paralakhemundi DHH reportedly has only 40 doctors against the required strength of 126, leaving 86 posts vacant.
The situation has raised concerns as patients are becoming victims of exploitation while private hospitals outside the state are benefiting financially. Sources said that brokers regularly visit the DHH under the pretext of assisting the visiting Andhra doctors and helping patients overcome the language barrier.
They are persuading patients to shift to private hospitals in the neighbouring state by promising free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Patients are reportedly transported in private ambulances to hospitals across the border.
Sources claimed that private hospitals in Andhra Pradesh are building referral networks through these middlemen. Patients are allegedly being forced to pay for ambulance charges, diagnostic tests, and medical expenses even before approval under the Ayushman Bharat scheme is received. Many families are reportedly taking loans to manage treatment costs.
It is being alleged that some health officials and DHH staff are aware of the situation but have turned a blind eye to the activities. Following reports of suspicious activities by brokers in the Paediatrics and Maternity wards, chief district medical officer (CDMO) Dr Shantanu Padhi barred their entry to the DHH.
Skirting the issue of hiring doctors from Andhra Pradesh, the CDMO advised patients and their attendants not to fall prey to middlemen operating in the DHH.
