Only 4 psychiatrists for over 10 million population in Uttarakhand; 24 of 28 approved posts vacant
A recent study by a Dehradun-based non-profit shows that of the total 13 districts, only two districts in the state have psychiatrists. There is only one forensic expert in the entire hill state out of the approved posts of 25 doctors, four skin specialists out of 32 approved posts.
Since the onset of COVID19, the mental health crisis for children, adolescents and families is growing. Photo: Unicef.org
Mental health issues are on the rise as the COVID19 pandemic continues to cause a general sense of insecurity, fear and anxiety. Amid this grim scenario, an analysis of state-level health services data in Uttarakhand has found that there are only four psychiatrists available for a population of more than 10 million people across 13 districts in the hill state.
Of the total 28 approved posts for psychiatrists in the state, 24 government posts are vacant making access to mental healthcare a big challenge in the Himalayan state. Further, only two districts in the state — Dehradun and Nainital — have psychiatrists but they also have a shortfall of 50 per cent and 67 per cent of approved psychiatrists, respectively.
These are some of the key findings of a study titled ‘State of Specialist Doctors in Uttarakhand 2021’, released by Dehradun-based Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation. The study shows of the total 13 districts, 11 do not have a single psychiatrist. These include Haridwar, Pauri, Almora, and Champawat.
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“Shortage of specialist doctors along with lack of basic health infrastructure has become a major issue for the hill districts of the state. It is time for political leadership and bureaucrats to address this issue and work on recognizing the Right to Health. People living in hills should have equitable access to public health services,” Rishabh Shrivastava, Lead, Research and Communications, SDC Foundation, was quoted in the official statement of the non-profit.
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The latest findings, released today on August 25 , are part of a larger study on healthcare services in Uttarakhand, which is based on data collected from the state government through the RTI (Right To Information). The SDC Foundation study was released in three parts — first on July 24, second part on August 6, and third today on August 25.
The non-profit has found a dearth of specialist doctors in the hill state. Forensic, skin and psychologist doctors remain the least available health specialists in Uttarakhand. There is only one forensic expert in the entire state out of the approved posts of 25 doctors, four skin specialists out of 32 approved posts.
Further, the study also shows that Uttarakhand has only 493 specialist (government) doctors available to serve over 10 million population across all 13 districts. This when the country is battling the ongoing COVID19 crisis.
Shortage of microbiologists
The study also pointed out that there is a shortage of microbiologists in the state. Amid the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, and emerging variants of black fungus (mucormycosis), there is a need for microbiologists and virologists, say experts.
The SDC Foundation shows there are only five microbiologists available in the state against the approved posts of 19. The microbiologists are available only in Haridwar, Almora, and Uttarkashi districts. The remaining 10 districts do not have a single microbiologist.
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“While the government has rightly placed a lot of focus on strengthening infrastructure in the wake of Covid 19; a similar sense of urgency has been lacking when it comes to appointment of specialist doctors,” said Vidush Pandey, Associate, Research and Advocacy, SDC Foundation.
“There is a need to critically examine why Uttarakhand has failed to recruit specialist doctors, draw lessons out of this and make renewed efforts at strengthening the specialist doctor availability in the state,” added Pandey.
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Poor distribution of medical workforce
The RTI data analysis shows a great imbalance between the distribution of specialist doctors across the districts. For instance, there are no eye surgeons in the hill district of Champawat as against three approved positions, whereas 11 eye surgeons are working in Dehradun as against the six approved positions.
“We need to relook at the IPHS [Indian Public Health Standard] framework on distribution of medical workforce in the state. The study has clearly highlighted that hill districts are worst affected in terms of availability of specialist doctors compared to plain districts,” said Anoop Nautiyal, Founder, SDC Foundation. “We need to work out a strategy on evenly distributing the workforce of specialist doctors. This will ensure proper access to the health facilities,” he said.