Bhubaneswar: Highlighting challenges in the state-run healthcare system, Odisha currently has only one doctor per 1,500 people, a stark contrast to both the national average and global standards.
India’s average doctor-population ratio stands at 1:811, while the World Health Organization recommends one doctor for every 1,000 individuals. Odisha falls short of both benchmarks.
According to the Odisha Council of Medical Registration, 29,792 doctors are registered in the state. However, a significant number of medical graduates migrate to other states, drawn by higher pay and opportunities in private healthcare, exacerbating the shortage.
Urban areas fare better in terms of healthcare access, but rural regions, home to 72% of Odisha’s population, are served by only 40% of the state’s doctors. This disparity underscores the healthcare crisis in rural areas.
A state health department official noted that doctors working in rural areas face numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and resources, which hinder their motivation to serve.
In response, the Odisha government introduced a bond system earlier this year, requiring medical graduates to serve in the state for at least two years to address the shortage.
The Orissa High Court has also voiced concern over the acute lack of doctors, describing the state’s population-to-doctor ratio as alarmingly low.
