Healthcare – East Godavari Community Hospitals Struggle With Staff Shortages
Healthcare – shortage of specialist doctors, nurses and paramedical workers is placing growing pressure on community hospitals across East Godavari district. Several facilities are operating with unfilled posts, while doctors are being moved between hospitals to handle urgent requirements, affecting routine patient services.
Specialist vacancies add pressure on existing doctors
Official figures show that six community hospitals in the district currently have 64 specialists working against the sanctioned strength, with 19 specialist posts still vacant. The unfilled positions include two gynaecologists, 12 physician and general surgeon posts, two anaesthetists, two paediatricians and one pathologist.
With limited staff available, the Health Department has been assigning specialists to hospitals where emergency services are required. This arrangement has increased the workload of doctors already serving in busy government facilities and has created gaps in regular medical care.
Gynaecology and anaesthesia services face major gaps
The 100-bed community hospital at Anaparthi has two gynaecologists against three approved posts. One of the doctors has also been deputed to Nidadavole Community Hospital, which does not have a gynaecologist of its own.
Gokavaram Community Hospital has only one gynaecologist, while Kovvur, Gopalapuram and Kadiyam hospitals are functioning without anaesthetists. The district had one anaesthetist serving multiple facilities, but the doctor recently joined Kakinada Government Medical College after reporting a heavy workload.
The shortage of anaesthesia specialists has become a serious concern for hospitals managing deliveries, surgical cases and emergency treatment. Medical staff said the absence of full-time specialists can delay procedures and increase dependence on referrals to larger hospitals.
Maternal care demand remains high in district hospitals
Community hospitals in East Godavari continue to receive a high number of patients, particularly pregnant women seeking government maternal healthcare services. A hospital with an original capacity of 30 beds reportedly receives about 20 pregnant women each day.
Patient numbers are higher at the Anaparthi and Kovvur community hospitals, where maternity services and general treatment are regularly under pressure. To manage the demand, several facilities have increased their bed capacity beyond the originally sanctioned limit.
Anaparthi and Kovvur hospitals are now functioning as 100-bed institutions. Hospitals at Kadiyam, Gopalapuram, Gokavaram, Mandapeta and Kapileswarapuram have also expanded their bed strength beyond the earlier 30-bed capacity.
Nursing and diagnostic staff shortages continue
The staffing problem is not limited to specialist doctors. The district is facing a shortage of 30 nursing, paramedical and support personnel. This includes four nurses, 14 paramedical employees and 12 support staff members.
Some hospitals are also operating without laboratory technicians and radiographers, creating difficulties in diagnostic testing and imaging services. In such cases, patients may need to wait longer for reports or travel to another facility for tests.
Healthcare workers said the shortage of staff has made it difficult to maintain smooth services in hospitals that are handling rising patient numbers. The situation is particularly challenging in facilities providing maternity care, emergency treatment and diagnostic support.
Recruitment details sent to higher authorities
District Coordinator of Health Services Dr Padma said the department had informed higher authorities about 66 overall vacancies in community hospitals across the district. She said the recruitment process had begun and appointments were expected to improve staffing levels.
“The recruitment process is underway. We expect the appointments to strengthen healthcare services in the community hospitals,” Dr Padma said.
Health officials expect the recruitment drive to reduce the burden on existing doctors and support staff. Until new appointments are made, community hospitals are likely to continue relying on deputation arrangements to meet urgent medical needs.