CAG Report Uncovers Healthcare Crisis in Chhattisgarh

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has identified severe shortages of healthcare personnel and irregularities in procurement processes in Chhattisgarh. The CAG's 2022 report showed a 34% shortfall in medical staff and highlighted issues such as uneven distribution of doctors, idle medical equipment, and purchases from blacklisted firms.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has flagged significant shortages in healthcare personnel and irregularities in the procurement of medical supplies in Chhattisgarh.

The CAG's performance audit of Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services for the year ending March 2022 was presented in the state assembly on Friday. According to the report, the health department faced a 34% shortfall (25,793 personnel) against the authorized strength of 74,797.

While the doctor-to-population ratio improved between 2016-22, it remains significantly below the WHO standard and national average. Additionally, the distribution of doctors across districts remains uneven, the CAG noted. In 23 district hospitals, shortages include 33% for specialist doctors, 4% for medical officers, and 13% for paramedics. Community Health Centres saw a 72% shortage of specialists and 15% shortage in general doctors. Sub Health Centres had a 17% vacancy rate for ANMs, with 502 centres lacking any ANMs, compromising maternity services for pregnant women.

Established in 2010, the Chhattisgarh State Medical Services Corporation Limited (CGMSCL) was intended to be a centralized procurement agency. However, local purchases still accounted for up to 50.65% of total procurement from 2016-22. Additionally, equipment worth Rs 49.68 crore remained unused due to lack of infrastructure and drugs worth Rs 23.98 crore were bought from blacklisted firms.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal stated that the current BJP government is recruiting healthcare personnel and probing irregularities in medicinal and equipment purchases. He noted that the report pertains to the previous administration.

(With inputs from agencies.)