Short-staffed primary health centres hit tribal healthcare in ITDA-Utnoor

The agency, which covers parts of Adilabad, Nirmal, Mancherial and Kumram Bheem Asifabad districts, has 32 health centres. These are currently functioning with only 837 employees against a sanctioned strength of 1,135. severely hampering essential healthcare services for aboriginal tribals

Adilabad: Primary Health Centres (PHCs) under the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA)-Utnoor are facing a severe staff crunch, disrupting healthcare delivery to tribal communities already vulnerable to seasonal diseases during the monsoon.

The agency, which covers parts of Adilabad, Nirmal, Mancherial and Kumram Bheem Asifabad districts, has 32 health centres. These are currently functioning with only 837 employees against a sanctioned strength of 1,135. The 297 vacant posts include 26 doctors, 62 multipurpose health workers, 19 lab technicians, 15 pharmacists, and 26 staff nurses, severely hampering essential healthcare services for aboriginal tribals.

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A rapid fever survey conducted by the Health and Medical Department revealed that 1,101 tribals were diagnosed with viral fevers in recent days. Additionally, 125 cases of diarrhoea and 12 cases of typhoid were reported, highlighting the growing health crisis.

Residents of remote tribal hamlets said they were unable to access even basic medical services due to a lack of staff at PHCs. Thumram Gopal, from Chintalamadara in Tiryani mandal, said, “We are facing hardship due to the absence of sufficient staff at our local PHC. Many are forced to depend on rural medical practitioners and distant private hospitals, spending large sums on travel and treatment.”

Tribal communities also alleged that some doctors posted at PHCs were neglecting their duties due to poor supervision from senior health officials. They appealed to authorities to immediately fill vacant posts and ensure reliable healthcare in the agency areas.

Taking serious note of the situation, ITDA-Utnoor Project Officer Khusbu Gupta, during a recent review meeting, directed health officials to take urgent preventive measures to curb the spread of seasonal diseases. She also warned of strict action against negligent doctors.