There is a shortage of doctors in Anantapur District, although the number of active cases has increased, putting undue pressure on available government facilities.
In the 19 Community Health Centers, Government Hospitals and Area Hospitals managed by the Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad, 292 doctors (sanctioned) of all cadres are said to be, of which only 128 have been filled and 164 are vacant in the district Coordinator of Hospital Services (DCHS) N Ramesh Nath said.
Of the 128 functioning doctors, many become COVID-positive on a regular basis and are given a 15-day quarantine, which continues to put pressure on the state health system in rural areas.
In the basic health centers at the base, only 193 of the 234 doctors are available, 82 laboratory technician positions are sanctioned, but only 78 are occupied; Of the 1,203 ANM positions, only 498 are filled, and male nurses are also in short supply, of which only 204 are sanctioned against 428.
About 1,000 medical and paramedical staff were recently hired for the COVID-19 Special Services, most of whom have entered the service, said GGH Superintendent KVVS Venkateswara Rao. You have been transferred to the Super Specialty Hospital, Cancer Hospital, and GGH Main Hospital. At first glance, the staff looks too inadequate as many of the doctors and paramedical staff are overworked and fall victim to infection due to constant exposure on the wards.
On the other hand, the number of active cases that were below 10,000 by the end of April rose to 14,528 on Tuesday, while the positivity rate remains around 40%. The positivity rate, which peaked at 44.99% four days ago, has dropped to 38.50%.
Dr. Ramesh Nath appealed to politicians, non-medical officials and other general public not to go to the COVID-19 wards without taking proper precautions such as wearing a PPE kit. “Some of them think that it is enough to just wear a double mask, but that is not enough,” he said.