Shortage of doctors, overwhelming workload hit Kakinada GGH ops

DOCTORS at Rangaraya Medical College and Kakinada Government General Hospital (GGH), particularly in the General Medicine Department, are facing severe psychological stress due to overwhelming workload and critical staff shortages, pushing the facility into what officials describe as a public health crisis.

- S TRIMURTHULU @Kakinada

Despite the Medical Council of India (MCI) recommending six professors, four associate professors, and sixteen assistant professors for the department's six medical units, two professor and two assistant professor posts remain vacant.

Originally designed to handle 180 inpatients with 30 beds per unit as per MCI norms, the department now accommodates more than 400 patients daily—over twice its sanctioned capacity. Based on current patient numbers, the hospital would require at least 12 units to meet national standards.