Around eight per cent of the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across rural India are running without a doctor while more than 35 per cent of them do not have a laboratory technician, according to Rural Health Statistics 2014-15 released by the government today.
On specialists manpower at Community Health Centres (CHCs) in rural parts of the country, the data says, that as on March 31 this year, out of the sanctioned posts, 74.6 per cent of surgeons, and 65.4 per cent of obstetricians and gynaecologists among others, were vacant.
"The CHC provides specialised medical care of surgeons, obstetricians and gynaecologists, physicians and paediatricians.
"The current position of specialists manpower at CHCs reveal that as on March 31, 2015, out of the sanctioned posts, 74.6 per cent of surgeons, 65.4 per cent of obstetricians and gynaecologists, 68.1 per cent of physicians and 62.8 per cent of paediatricians were vacant. Overall 67.6 per cent of the sanctioned posts of specialists at CHCs were vacant," the data put up on the Union Health Ministry website said.
It said that the shortfall of specialists is "significantly" high in most of the states, but, added that in addition to the specialists, about 11,822 General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) are also available at CHCs.
"8.1 per cent of the PHCs were without a doctor, 38.1 per cent were without a lab technician and 21.9 per cent were without a pharmacist," the data said.
The data said that the number of allopathic doctors at PHCs increased from 27,355 in 2014 to 27,421 in 2015 as there was significant increases in Maharashtra (431), Rajasthan (301), Tamil Nadu (236) and Haryana (94). "Major reduction is observed Jammu & Kashmir (390)," it said.
Regarding the specialist doctors at CHCs, the number has declined from 4091 in 2014 to 4078 in 2015. "Major decreases have been noticed in the States of Rajasthan (125) and Punjab (29)," it said.
Considering the para-medical staff, the radiographers at CHC have decreased from 2,189 in 2014 to 2,150 in 2015.
"The major reductions are observed in Jammu and Kashmir (76) and Maharashtra (28). However, there is a significant increase in Tamil Nadu (54).
"The pharmacists at PHC and CHC have increased from 22,689 to 23,131. The major increases observed are Rajasthan (157), Karnataka (101), Tamil Nadu (83), West Bengal (70), Chhattisgarh (36) and Bihar (34). However, significant decrease has been noticed in Tripura (47), Jammu and Kashmir (39) and Nagaland (36)," the data said.
