A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has exposed significant deficiencies and irregularities in Telangana’s public health infrastructure, painting a concerning picture of the state’s healthcare management. The performance audit, which scrutinized the period from 2016-17 to 2021-22, examined various departments and programs, including human resources, healthcare services, and financial management, revealing critical issues that could undermine the quality of healthcare in the state.
One of the most alarming findings is the severe shortage of healthcare staff, with an overall vacancy rate of 45% across the department. Particularly concerning is the 56% vacancy rate for the position of Director of Medical Education (DME), alongside numerous unfilled positions for associate and assistant professors in nine medical colleges. This shortage of qualified staff is having a detrimental impact on the quality of medical education in the state, potentially compromising the training and development of future healthcare professionals.
The CAG report also criticizes the state’s failure to extend Fixed Day Health Services (FDHS) to rural areas, a crucial initiative aimed at improving healthcare accessibility in underserved regions. Additionally, 122 out of 3,206 sub-centres, which had been converted into Health and Wellness Centres, lacked medical officers, further hindering healthcare delivery in rural areas.
The audit highlights other glaring deficiencies, such as the lack of necessary licenses for imaging equipment in many healthcare institutions and non-compliance with fire safety regulations in several district hospitals. These oversights not only put patients at risk but also reflect poorly on the state’s commitment to maintaining safety and quality standards in healthcare facilities.
On the issue of drug and equipment availability, the report reveals that Telangana failed to review and update the Essential Medicines List (EML) and Additional Medicines List (AML) every two years, as required. This oversight, combined with the failure to replace expired drugs worth Rs 390.26 crore in a timely manner, has led to significant financial losses and potentially jeopardized patient care.
Further compounding these issues is the shortage of healthcare infrastructure, with the state experiencing deficits of 69%, 25%, and 29% in Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres, and Sub-centres, respectively. Additionally, there is a shortage of hospital beds, with only 27,996 beds available against a required 35,004, highlighting the state’s struggle to meet basic healthcare needs.
Financially, Telangana’s expenditure on health has consistently fallen short of the targets set by the National Health Policy (NHP) 2017, with spending fluctuating between 2.53% and 3.47% of the total state budget. The report also points to irregularities in fund disbursement under the National Health Mission and the failure to reimburse Central funds allocated for Covid-19 management.
The CAG’s findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in Telangana’s healthcare system. Addressing these critical gaps is essential for improving service delivery and ensuring that the state’s residents receive the quality healthcare they deserve.
SOURCE:
MEDICAL DIALOGUES
