Orissa high court on Tuesday directed the state government to fill the vacancies of doctors in the state within three months. The high court bench, comprising Chief Justice V Gopalagowda and Justice B N Mohapatra, directed the state to take immediate measures to fill the vacancies of doctors in the state and to submit a compliance report after completing the work.
The court's order came in the wake of a petition filed by lawyer Dilip Mohapatra, citing poor health conditions in the state due to a shortage of doctors. Acting on the petition, the high court also directed the state government to provide adequate infrastructure facilities to each and every government-run public health centre, dispensary and hospital in the state.
"The court has clearly directed the state government to fill all vacancies of doctors in the state within three months. After complying with the court's order, the state is supposed submit a detailed report before it," the petitioner said.
Mohapatra had cited there are at least 4,058 sanctioned posts of allopathic doctors in the state but 1,085 posts are lying vacant. He also said there are at least 594 posts sanctioned for homeopathic doctors in the state, 151 of which are vacant. The scenario in the ayurvedic sector is no better, according to Mohapatra. Out of some 520 sanctioned posts, 94 are vacant in this section, he said.
Mohapatra's petition said the health scenario is especially abysmal in tribal areas. He said that epidemics like cholera and diarrohea spread in Rayagada and other tribal areas as doctors' posts have been lying vacant in these areas.
The court's order came in the wake of a petition filed by lawyer Dilip Mohapatra, citing poor health conditions in the state due to a shortage of doctors. Acting on the petition, the high court also directed the state government to provide adequate infrastructure facilities to each and every government-run public health centre, dispensary and hospital in the state.
"The court has clearly directed the state government to fill all vacancies of doctors in the state within three months. After complying with the court's order, the state is supposed submit a detailed report before it," the petitioner said.
Mohapatra had cited there are at least 4,058 sanctioned posts of allopathic doctors in the state but 1,085 posts are lying vacant. He also said there are at least 594 posts sanctioned for homeopathic doctors in the state, 151 of which are vacant. The scenario in the ayurvedic sector is no better, according to Mohapatra. Out of some 520 sanctioned posts, 94 are vacant in this section, he said.
Mohapatra's petition said the health scenario is especially abysmal in tribal areas. He said that epidemics like cholera and diarrohea spread in Rayagada and other tribal areas as doctors' posts have been lying vacant in these areas.