Tripura rural hospitals reeling under crisis of specialists: Report

The rural hospitals in Tripura are facing a severe shortage of specialist doctors, particularly in disciplines like surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics. A report by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare revealed that while there is an adequate number of doctors in Primary Health Centers (PHCs), there is a significant lack of specialist doctors in Community Health Centers (CHCs). In tribal areas, the scarcity of specialist doctors is even more concerning, with only a few doctors available in crucial disciplines like pediatrics and obstetrics. Despite a surplus of nursing staff, the shortage of specialist doctors remains a major issue in rural healthcare facilities. The report also highlighted the availability of separate toilets in most health sub-centers, PHCs, and CHCs in the region.