Doctor Shortages Plague Lakhimpur Rural Hospitals

Rural hospitals in Lakhimpur district are experiencing severe doctor shortages, critically impacting healthcare services. Telahi Model Hospital in Panigaon is the worst affected, with all posts for Medical and Health Officers (M&HO) and Senior M&HOs vacant for three years. This situation leaves around 1.5 lakh people without essential healthcare.

Similarly, Nowboicha Rural Hospital has four out of six M&HO posts vacant, forcing limited staff to manage care for nearly two lakh people. Patients are often compelled to travel to Lakhimpur Medical College and Hospital for treatment. The doctor shortage is particularly troubling amid a Japanese encephalitis outbreak, with 27 suspected cases and three confirmed diagnoses, mainly affecting children.