With the change in weather, hospitals in Etawah district have seen a surge in patients suffering from H3N2 infection. However, the shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas, has made it difficult for patients to receive timely treatment. The condition is such that out of 59 posts created in eight Community Health Centers (CHCs), 33 are vacant, including many posts for women doctors.Vacancies in CHCsRajpur CHC, for instance, has only two doctors against the 14 posts, while Bharthana CHC has only four instead of six. Takha OPD alone receives around 150 patients daily, and the situation worsens during the day due to a lack of doctors. Jaswantnagar CHC has three physicians and one lady doctor, and several other posts such as Physician, Pediatrician, Orthopedic, and General Surgeon are also vacant in different CHCs.Long Haul for PatientsDue to the shortage of doctors in the Rajpur area, patients have to travel a distance of about 40 kilometres to reach the district hospital. The situation is particularly challenging for women and child patients who have to spend hours travelling and waiting for treatment in the hospital. Female patients from Basrehar CHC have to travel to the district hospital located 10 kilometres away, and there is no Pediatrician in Mahewa, forcing patients to travel 35 kilometres.Report Sent to Government Every MonthAccording to Dr Geeta Ram, the Chief Medical Officer, every month, a report regarding the shortage of doctors is sent to the government. Despite that, doctors are not being posted, and the lack of doctors at the CHC level has led to an increase in patients in the district hospital.The shortage of doctors in the Etawah district has created a crisis for patients, especially in rural areas. The government must take prompt action to fill the vacant posts and ensure patients receive timely treatment.The shortage of doctors at CHCs is a major concern for the rural population in the Etawah district. Patients, especially women, and children, must travel long distances to receive treatment at the district hospital. Despite regular reporting to the government, the vacant posts remain unfilled. It not only puts a strain on the available medical resources but also affects the timely treatment of patients. The government must urgently address this issue to ensure better healthcare facilities for the rural population.
