Doctor shortage hits Karnataka govt hospitals; 2k positions vacant

Attracting qualified candidates to the public sector remains challenging

NT Correspondent: Bengaluru Government hospitals in Karnataka are struggling with a severe shortage of doctors, with nearly 2,000 positions vacant. As of June, there are 744 unfilled specialist posts, 613 general duty medical officer vacancies and 558 other medical professional positions. In the dental department, 25 of the 425 positions remain vacant. Health Commissioner Shivakumar K B expressed concern, noting that despite efforts to fill the 1,940 vacancies, the lack of clear policies on the roles, responsibilities and work guidelines for doctors in government hospitals hinders progress. While efforts are being made to fill vacancies in medical colleges, attracting qualified candidates to the public sector remains challenging as per the Health Department. Doctors in rural health centres must manage both healthcare delivery and administrative functions, including various health programs, which diverts their focus from patient care to management tasks.

This dual responsibility not only affects patient care but also discourages doctors from taking up rural postings, leading to a decline in their medical skills as per media reports. Due to the low interest from medical professionals, hospitals are often forced to hire staff on a temporary basis, further weakening the system. Vani Vilas Hospital reported that doctors are required to work long night shifts after OPD duties, delaying patient care. Patients frequently complain about the unavailability of doctors when needed. Officials attributed this issue to the lack of basic infrastructure and facilities in rural areas, which makes it difficult to attract and retain skilled professionals as per reports.

A senior doctor from Bengaluru Medical College and Research Centre highlighted that many rural health centres operate with minimal resources, impacting the quality of healthcare. The poor standard of staff accommodations and the absence of essential amenities, such as good schools for their children, further discourage doctors from serving in rural areas.