Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Oct 13: Government hospitals in Karnataka are facing a severe shortage of doctors, with nearly 2000 positions remaining vacant. According to data as of June, 744 specialist posts, 613 general duty medical officer posts, and 558 other medical profes
ional positions are unfilled. In the dental medical department, out of 425 positions, 25 remain vacant.
Health commissioner Shivakumar K B expressed regret that although the department is trying its best to fill the 1940 vacant positions, there is a lack of clear policies regarding the role, responsibilities, and work guidelines for government hospital doctors.
Health department sources said that despite efforts to fill vacancies in medical colleges, attracting suitable candidates to the public sector remains a challenge.
An official noted that doctors in rural health centers are required to manage both health supply and control functions. They also face the added burden of managing various health programs, which diverts their attention from patient care to administrative tasks. This not only affects patient care but also discourages doctors from accepting rural postings, thereby reducing their medical skills.
The lack of interest from medical professionals is forcing hospitals to hire staff on a short-term basis, further weakening the system. Doctors are required to work extensive night shifts after attending to OPD duties, which delays patient care, according to sources from Vani Vilas Hospital. Patients often complain that doctors are not available as frequently as needed. Officials attribute this to a shortage of facilities and basic infrastructure in rural areas, making it difficult to attract skilled professionals.
A senior doctor at Bengaluru Medical College and Research Centre highlighted that many rural health centers operate with limited resources, making it challenging to provide quality healthcare.
The inadequate standard of staff accommodations and the lack of basic infrastructure, including good schools for their children, further deter doctors from serving in rural areas.