Bhubaneswar: Odisha has fallen short of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended ratio of one doctor per 1,000 people, with the state currently recording one doctor for every 1,735 residents. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling revealed in the State Assembly that nearly 4,900 posts of Medical Officers remain vacant across government hospitals.
Minister’s Reply in Assembly
Responding to a query raised by BJD legislator Ranendra Pratap Swain, Mahaling stated that only 10,894 Medical Officer posts are filled against the sanctioned 15,774. The vacancies span several districts, with Mayurbhanj leading at 613, followed by Ganjam with 537 and Cuttack with 462.
Recruitment Plans to Bridge Gap
The minister assured the Assembly that steps are underway to fill these posts through the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), departmental promotions, contractual appointments, and through the District Mineral Foundation (DMF). Recruitment of specialists will also be prioritized once doctors return after completing higher studies or senior residency.
Shortage Across Other Healthcare Cadres
The staffing crisis is not limited to doctors. Odisha faces 23 vacancies among 2,718 sanctioned Pharmacist posts, 86 among 1,501 Medical Laboratory Technicians, 1,594 among 16,628 Nursing Officers, and 241 out of 663 sanctioned Radiographer posts. District authorities have already engaged 877 contractual doctors, mainly in tribal and underserved regions, to mitigate the shortage.
OPSC Recruitment Under Process
To address the situation, the government has requested OPSC to recruit 5,248 Medical Officers during the current year. “After receipt of recommendations from OPSC, steps will be taken for the posting of doctors,” Mahaling confirmed. The move is expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery and bring Odisha closer to meeting WHO standards.
