Shortage of doctors ails RIMS

Srikakulam: The Mother and Child Healthcare centre at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) is in dire need of attention from the officers concerned.

The shortage of doctors at this centre is hindering in providing effective healthcare to patients. As against 24 regular doctors, there are only six and another four are on contract.

The meagre staff is required to handle rush which is increasing day by day. Every day not less than 10 expecting mothers are admitted for delivery. As RIMS is a teaching hospital, the doctors double up as teachers too. They have to attend classes, besides treating patients at the centre.

Every month, on an average, 325 women are admitted for delivery. In addition to providing regular treatment, they have to run health check tests on pregnant women. "The present staff is woefully insufficient. We need more hands. The work load is increasing," Head of the department Dr YL Narasinga Rao said.

"Whenever work load increases, we are hiring doctors on contract basis, but they are not showing much interest in attending to work in the centre.
The doctors who have specialised in gynecology and pediatrics are going in for private practice as they make more money there," Dr Narasinga Rao said.