Half-baked healthcare in new Deogarh DHH

Over five months after the inauguration of the new seven-storey district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Deogarh, major gaps in staffing, equipment use and basic facilities have appeared with residents wondering why the building was inaugurated before it was ready to deliver full-fledged healthcare services.

- POST NEWS NETWORK

Despite its grand opening, much of the hospital's equipment remains disorganised and idle. Locals say the facility was inaugurated in haste for political mileage, even though essential arrangements were incomplete. The hospital continues to function with a severe shortage of doctors and support staff. Of the 211 doctors sanctioned for the district, only 69 are currently posted leaving 142 posts vacant. At the new facility, just 15 of the 55 approved doctors are in place, including only eight specialists instead of 34. Nursing staff numbers also fall far short of requirement.