Shortage of doctors in Assam leads to souring relations with patients

HEALTHCARE CRISIS

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Shortage of doctors is one of the major reasons for souring relationship between medical professionals and patients in Assam.

As per the latest statistics available with the Union Health Ministry, there is only one doctor against 1,453 patients in Assam which is far higher than the WHO (World Health Organization) recommendation of one doctor per 1,000 people.

A study conducted by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has found that the low doctor-patient ratio is forcing doctors to rush with patients; and have limited time to give to each one of them.

"Doctors, particularly those practising in the six medical colleges and hospitals, civil and district hospitals in Assam work long and grueling hours, often attending to hundreds of patients every day. This lack of interpersonal approach in treatment deeply impacts the patients' perception of a doctor and furthers the trust deficit," said an IMA member associated with the study.

In 2019, an elderly doctor in Jorhat district died after being brutally beaten up by an unruly mob agitated over the death of a tea estate worker. In the recent years, there were several incidents of violence against doctors inside and outside the government as well private hospitals in the State forcing Dispur to bring in legislation to protect doctors. But even after introduction of the legislation, cases of fights, heated arguments and physical assaults on doctors are reported at frequent intervals.

The IMA has found that nearly 50 per cent of doctors have faced some sort of abuse at some point in their lives.

"Lack of awareness and knowledge among patients often results in poor health outcomes in many cases. Many patients do not visit hospitals and other healthcare centre still their health conditions get critical. Lack of insurance penetration and out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare not only deters people from seeking treatment early, but also drives anger and frustration against doctors," said the IMA member.

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