State 65 pc short of specialist docs

SHILLONG: Meghalaya is facing at least 65 percent shortage of medical specialists, thereby affecting the healthcare system.
Health Secretary Pravin Bakshi told reporters on Wednesday that the state government is concerned over the shortage of specialist doctors and at the same time, the Health Department is exploring ways to address the issue.
Last month, the department signed an agreement with Public Health Foundation of India to deal with the issue of shortage of specialists.
However, the details in this regard are yet to be worked out.
Bakshi admitted that the number of specialists in the 12 government hospitals, 27 CHCs, 109 PHCs and 444 health sub-centres is much lower than the requisite number.
The absence of medical colleges in Meghalaya has also added to the shortage of specialists.
The government, with an aim to retain government-sponsored doctors, has raised the bond amount to Rs 1 crore from the earlier Rs 40 lakh.
The move was because many government-sponsored specialist doctors did not return to the state after the completion of their studies and they were even ready to return the bond amount.
The health official hoped that the hike in the bond amount will act as deterrence.
There is already a high power committee on health issues headed by the chief secretary to address the deficiencies in the healthcare system following the High Court’s intervention.