CAG REPORT REVEALS DISMAL STATE OF HEALTH CARE IN MP

There is a shortage of 22,845 healthcare workers across institutions due to unfilled sanctioned posts.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

A recently released report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on public health infrastructure and management of health services in Madhya Pradesh, which is based on the audit done from 2017-18 to 202122, has brought out in public how officials and public representatives failed to do their job.

The 350 pages plus audit report, tabled in the state assembly on 18 December, has revealed glaring shortcomings, including the presentation of a false certificate to claim that a centrally funded medical center was completed when, in reality, the construction was still ongoing.

Among others, the report has found that there is a shortage of 22,845 healthcare workers across institutions due to unfilled sanctioned posts, particularly in Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), and Sub Health Centers (SHCs).

Trauma care centers are not operating in 26 districts.

Key outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) services are unavailable or incomplete in multiple hospitals. Essential OPD services are missing in hospitals, and there is a critical shortage of medical equipment, including X-ray machines, diagnostic tools, and surgical instruments.

Drugs and consumables are either in short supply or mismanaged. Essential drugs for respiratory, cardiac, reproductive, and emergency care are missing in several District Hospitals (DHS).