Nagaland's rural healthcare system is grappling with significant manpower shortages according to the Health Dynamics of India 2023-24 report tabled in Parliament on Friday
KOHIMA — Nagaland's rural healthcare system is grappling with significant manpower shortages, including a deficit of 138 community health officers (CHOs), 60 medical officers and 139 nursing staff, according to the Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure & Human Resources) 2023-24 report tabled in Parliament on Friday.
The report, based on data as of March 2024, shows that Nagaland has 447 functioning Sub-Centres, 139 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and 25 Community Health Centres (CHCs).
According to the report, the state requires 443 CHOs at rural Sub-Centres. Against a sanctioned strength of 379, only 305 are in position, leaving an overall shortfall of 138 CHOs and 74 vacancies.
At rural PHCs, the requirement is 125 medical officers, but only 71 posts have been sanctioned, with 65 doctors in position, resulting in a shortfall of 60 doctors. The report also found no radiographers at rural CHCs, despite a requirement of eight.
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For pharmacists at PHCs and CHCs, the requirement is 133, but only 85 have been sanctioned and are in position, leaving a shortfall of 48.
Similarly, the state requires 141 laboratory technicians, but only 85 posts have been sanctioned, with 85 personnel in position, resulting in a shortfall of 56.
The shortage of nursing staff is also substantial. Against a requirement of 330 nurses at rural PHCs and CHCs, only 191 are in position, leaving a deficit of 139 nurses.
The report further shows that only three specialist posts—covering surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, medicine and paediatrics—have been sanctioned for rural CHCs, underscoring the shortage of specialist healthcare services.
In urban areas, the report records a requirement of 22 medical officers and 22 staff nurses at Sub-Centres. However, it shows no sanctioned posts, no personnel in position and no vacancies for either category, resulting in a shortfall of all 44 posts.