Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s government hospitals are grappling with a severe shortage of doctors, raising concerns about the state’s public healthcare system. The Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) has sounded the alarm, citing alarming figures from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
As of March 2023, a staggering 5,476 positions remained vacant under the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) out of the sanctioned 49,496 posts across various staff categories. The growing manpower crisis is putting immense pressure on existing healthcare professionals, threatening the efficiency and quality of medical services in government hospitals.
Medical experts and the KGMOA have urged the government to take immediate action to address the shortage and strengthen the public health infrastructure. They warn that without urgent recruitment measures, the situation could deteriorate further, potentially impacting patient care and emergency medical services statewide.
