CAG Audit Report finds Shortage of Doctors in Bihar and Operating Blood Banks without Licences
CAG Audit Report: A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has revealed a severe shortfall in healthcare personnel and operational inefficiencies in Bihar’s primary and secondary healthcare facilities. According to the audit, 61% of posts (23,475) in primary healthcare centers and 56% (18,909) in secondary facilities remain unfilled, highlighting critical gaps in the state’s healthcare workforce.
The CAG’s performance audit report on the “Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services,” covering the period from 2016 to 2022, was presented in the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Thursday. The findings underscore alarming inadequacies in healthcare services across the state.
Deficit in Doctors and Paramedical Staff
The report states that, as of March 2022, Bihar required 1,24,919 doctors to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended standards for its population of 12.49 crore. However, only 58,144 allopathic doctors were available, a shortfall of 53% against WHO norms and 32% below the national average.
Vacancies extended across healthcare tiers, with 49% of sanctioned posts in tertiary care facilities and 82% in AYUSH healthcare centers also unfilled. The total workforce shortage across all healthcare levels stood at 35,317 posts, representing 60% of the approved strength.
Blood Banks Operating Without Valid Licenses
The audit highlighted regulatory lapses in blood banks, noting that licenses, typically valid for five years, were not renewed due to critical equipment shortages identified during inspections. Despite this, several blood banks continued operations without valid licenses, posing significant risks to public health.
Challenges in Drug Procurement and Management
The Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (BMSICL), responsible for procuring medicines for state medical institutions, faced scrutiny over the quality and timeliness of drug supplies. Between 2016-17 and 2021-22, medicines supplied often had only 35% to 74% of their shelf life remaining. Furthermore, indigenous drugs constituted the majority of supplies with reduced shelf life, and in some cases, near-expiry drugs were not withdrawn from circulation.
Ambulance Services Lack Critical Equipment
Physical inspections of 25 ambulances revealed they lacked essential equipment, medicines, and consumables, with shortages ranging from 14% to 100%. This deficiency severely hampers the ambulances’ ability to provide timely and effective emergency care.
