31 deaths in 48 hours: Over 42% medical positions vacant at Nanded hospital

Besides, over 60 per cent of the positions for senior resident doctors is lying vacant at the medical college.

The hospital serves patients from across the district and neighbouring states such as Telangana, with an annual footfall of 6.21 lakh patients, according to data submitted to the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS). On average, the hospital conducts 11,000 deliveries each year.

According to the most recent data (2023-24) submitted to MUHS, the hospital faces a notable staffing challenge, particularly in the professorial roles responsible for training medical students and overseeing the primary course of treatment protocols for patients.

Over 61.6 per cent of senior resident positions are vacant, highlighting a substantial shortage. Ideally, the hospital should have 60 senior residents, but presently only 23 of these positions are filled, with 37 marked as vacant.

Furthermore, there is a notable 33.5 percent deficit in faculty positions, including professors, associate professors, and assistant professors. Out of the 140 sanctioned faculty posts, 47 remain unfilled, as per the latest records.

Several departments, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, ophthalmology and dentistry, currently lack professors who typically serve as department heads. In the gynaecology department, there are four sanctioned positions for associate professors, with three currently vacant. Additionally, out of the seven assistant professor positions, five remain unfilled.

In fact, numerous specialized doctors have been assigned to the newly constructed medical colleges in Parbhani and Osmanabad for inspection by the National Medical Council.

Speaking to The Indian Express, many resident doctors described how they are forced to work long stretches of 24 to 48 hours due to staff shortage, which, in fact, compromises patient care.

“To begin with, there are fewer medical seats compared to the high number of patients seeking treatment. Furthermore, when senior faculty members are reassigned, it places all responsibilities on the resident doctors. The current teaching staff also becomes overwhelmed who fail to guide us properly,” said one resident student.

Dr Swati Rane, a core team member of Janswasthya Abhigyan and visiting faculty at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), expressed her deep concern over the absence of specialist doctors, i.e., professors, in government-run hospitals. “These professors play a pivotal role not only in educating students but also in ensuring the quality of patient care. Without teachers, how can students learn?” she asked.

Additionally, she highlighted an issue during the National Medical Council inspections at medical colleges.

During these inspections, medical colleges often appoint faculty from other institutions temporarily to meet the required criteria.

“However, after the inspections, these temporarily appointed staff members are returned to their original positions, leaving the inspected colleges with vacant posts. This situation not only impacts student training but also affects the quality of patient care,” she added.

When questioned on Tuesday about the political parties’ allegations that patient deaths were a result of staff shortages, Dr Shyamrao Wakode, the Dean of Government Medical College Nanded, initially acknowledged the shortages and explained that some staff members, such as nurses, had been transferred. But later, the hospital refuted the allegations.

In a recent incident at Rajiv Gandhi Medical College in Kalwa, a situation akin to the one in Nanded occurred where 18 patients tragically lost their lives within 24 hours. In this case, out of the approved teaching staff positions, a substantial 60 percent were vacant. Specifically, out of the 98 sanctioned professor positions, 30 currently remain unfilled.

Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress chief, has called for a comprehensive inquiry into the matter, describing the incident as “deeply distressing, severe and concerning.”

He further remarked that a series of such incidents have cast doubt on the state government’s healthcare system.

He emphasised the need for a thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible for this negligence face stringent legal consequences.

The shortage of medical personnel is a common occurrence in most public-run hospitals across Maharashtra.

Mumbai, which is deemed to have a far better public health care system compared to the interior regions of Maharashtra also has shortage of medical personnel.

At the five Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation-run hospitals in Mumbai, there is a 27% shortage of staff with 439 out of 1606 positions being vacant.