Nagaland: Acute shortage of doctors and nurses, says NIDA

Dimapur, June 3 (MExN): The Nagaland In-Service Doctors' Association (NIDA) on Tuesday sought necessary remedial actions on the part of the state government to address the acute shortage of doctors and nurses which is adversely affecting the delivery of healthcare services in the State and ‘constantly attracting public criticisms.’

In a representation to the Nagaland Chief Minister on June 3, NIDA pointed out that presently, the 11 District Hospitals are running with 51 specialists (at 23% of Indian Public Health Standards norms), 63 non-specialist doctors (at 52% of IPHS norms) and 200 staff nurses (at 28% of IPHS norms) sanctioned posts against the requirement of 207 Specialists, 119 Non-Specialists and 645 Staff Nurses respectively for the District Hospitals. 

It said that proposals have been submitted to the Government for creation of adequate posts from time to time, but favourable response is still awaited. Since 2006 till date, only 29 posts of doctors have been created. 

The department has submitted proposal for creation of 53 posts of specialist doctors and 143 posts of staff nurses for the 11 District Hospitals to increase the strength from the current level to 50% for specialist doctors and to 75% for staff nurses against IPHS requirement in December 2019. However, the response is still awaited, according to NIDA.

Further, it pointed out that of the 425 total sanctioned posts of doctors, 27 in-service doctors are on study leave and 9 are on deputation. With no provision for replacements, these 36 posts in various health facilities are unmanned, it added.

NIDA meanwhile said that there is no provision of quota or reservation for post doctoral (superspeciality) studies except through National Eligibility Entrance Test which is a highly competitive exam in view of related seats. However, there are instances where successful candidates from the state had to forgo the opportunity owing to the absence of leave provisions. The Department’s proposal for relaxation of Leave Rules to enable in-service doctors to undergo the super specialist/post doctoral training has been rejected by the Government in the past, it said. 

In view of the shortage of manpower, NIDA expressed concern that the doctors and nurses may not be in a position to meet the expectations of the people and requested the Government to take necessary remedial actions on the issues to avoid disruptions of essential health services.