In the district of Polavaram, patients are facing significant challenges due to an acute shortage of specialist doctors in government hospitals. The situation is particularly dire at the Area Hospital in Rampachodavaram, where key medical posts remain vacant.
The hospital currently lacks specialists in General Medicine, Anaesthesia, and Pediatrics. The post for a General Medicine doctor has been empty for nearly a year, and efforts to fill it have yet to bear fruit. Of the two anaesthetists previously available, one is now assisting surgeries related to General Surgery and Orthopaedics, while the other is occupied with cesarean sections for pregnant women.
The situation further deteriorated when the General Surgeon and Orthopaedic Surgeon left the hospital two months ago. The absence of these specialists has made it challenging for the hospital to manage surgical cases, especially in handling accident cases and emergency surgeries. As a result, patients are frequently referred to government hospitals in Rajamahendravaram and Kakinada, causing delays in critical care.
The pediatric department is also grappling with the shortage of specialists. Previously, there were separate doctors for the general pediatric ward and the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU). However, with the current shortage, the hospital is struggling to provide adequate care for both.
This situation underscores the urgent need for the government to address the shortage of specialist doctors in these hospitals to ensure patients receive timely, effective medical care.
