India, March 19 -- Odisha is grappling with a critical shortage of medical professionals, profoundly affecting healthcare services across several districts in the State. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling indirectly highlighted the gravity of the situation in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, revealing that around 5,822 doctor positions still remain vacant, with nearly 55 percent of specialist roles unfilled.

In Jagatsinghpur, the district headquarters hospital (DHH) is emblematic of this crisis, where overcrowded queues of patients face an acute shortage of doctors.

According to the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), only 72 doctors operate against an approved strength of 140. Alarmingly, specialist roles remain unfilled in cruci...