Argus News - Breaking News: Odisha Health Sector Struggles with Staff Shortages and Drug Quality

Bhubaneswar, Mar 23: The Odisha Assembly has revealed serious challenges in the state’s healthcare system, ranging from vacant medical posts and substandard medicines to rising tobacco-related deaths.

According to Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling’s written reply, 4107 medical officer posts remain vacant. While the sanctioned strength is 15,793, only 11,186 officers are currently serving. Similarly, thousands of posts across nursing, pharmacy, laboratory technicians, radiographers, and ophthalmic officers remain unfilled, highlighting a critical shortage in government medical facilities.

The new government has, however, initiated recruitment drives. Through the Odisha Public Service Commission, appointments have been made for 108 assistant professors, 5 allopathic doctors, 85 homeopathic doctors, and 115 Ayush doctors.

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Additionally, 117 nursing officers, 239 radiographers, 203 pharmacy officers, 2753 MPHW (Female), and 686 MPHW (Male) have been recruited, aiming to strengthen the healthcare workforce.

Concerns over medicine quality have also surfaced. The Odisha State Medical Corporation tested 17,828 drug samples over two years, of which 40 were declared substandard (NSQ). The government has blacklisted the companies involved and regularly updates the list of NSQ medicines and blacklisted firms on the corporation’s website, urging citizens to check before purchasing medicines.

Meanwhile, tobacco consumption continues to take a heavy toll. Over the past decade, 3157 lives have been lost to mouth cancer, with smokeless tobacco identified as a major cause. In January 2026, the government issued directives to curb smokeless tobacco sales and launched intensified enforcement drives.

These revelations underscore the dual challenge facing Odisha’s healthcare system: addressing manpower shortages and ensuring medicine quality, while simultaneously tackling lifestyle-related health risks.