Jharsuguda ,Jan 31: The Mundrajore Community Health Centre (CHC) under Laikera Block is currently facing a severe shortage of doctors and specialists. Out of a total of 21 sanctioned doctor posts—15 MBBS and 6 specialist positions—only 5 MBBS doctors and 4 specialists are presently working. Additionally, key posts such as Superintendent and BPSO Officer remain vacant.
Due to these vacancies, healthcare services at the CHC have nearly come to a standstill. Demanding immediate resolution of this serious issue, the Anchalik Vikas Parishad (Regional Development Council) of Laikera, Kolabira, and Kirmira submitted a memorandum to the State Health Minister through the Laikera Block Development Officer (BDO).
The memorandum stated that hundreds of villages under Laikera Block depend on the Mundrajore CHC for medical services. Every day, hundreds of patients visit the centre for OPD services, but due to the shortage of doctors and specialists, they are forced to wait for long hours. In many cases, patients return disappointed without receiving treatment.
The lack of doctors has severely affected both OPD and emergency services. Critically ill and accident victims are often referred to the District Headquarters Hospital due to the absence of adequate medical staff, putting many valuable lives at risk.
Maternal and child healthcare services are particularly concerning. Pregnant women depend on the Mundrajore CHC for safe delivery services, but in the absence of specialists such as gynecologists and anesthetists, complicated cases are referred to outside hospitals. This creates additional financial and mental burdens, especially for poor and tribal families.
Similarly, serious complaints have been raised about the prolonged absence of doctors at the Laikera Primary Health Centre (PHC). Residents dependent on the PHC are deprived of basic healthcare services and are compelled to visit private clinics or travel to the distant Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital, increasing their financial hardship.
Members of the Regional Development Council stated that this is not a new problem. Despite the long-standing vacancies in both Mundrajore CHC and Laikera PHC, sufficient action has not been taken at the government level. As a result, the lives and health security of local residents are at serious risk.
In the memorandum, the council urged the government to immediately fill all 12 vacant posts of doctors, specialists, and officers at Mundrajore CHC, appoint doctors at Laikera PHC without delay, and ensure the provision of necessary infrastructure, medicines, and medical equipment.
The council expressed hope that the State Health Minister would consider the matter from a humanitarian perspective and take prompt and effective steps to appoint doctors and specialists at both Mundrajore CHC and Laikera PHC, so that residents can finally receive the healthcare services they have long awaited.
The program was attended by Council President Jitendriya Dhurua, Vice President Swaroop Kisan, General Secretary Sambit Naik, Advisor Tankadhar Naik, Padmalochan Budula, Bapi Naik, Bhishma Ping, Jikesh Naik, Pradeep Deheria, and others.