Chhattisgarh short of over 1,700 doctors: Minister

Chhattisgarh has a deficit of 1,743 doctors, Health Minister Amar Agrawal said on Thursday.

"The State is short of 1,743 doctors. The sanctioned strength of allopathic doctors should be 3,193," Agrawal told the State assembly.

It is difficult to tell the house a definite time-frame for when the posts will be filled, the minister said.

Even though the presence of doctors in rural areas has increased, there are a few primary health centres where not a single doctor is available, he added.

The Chhattisgarh government is working on a plan to deploy a sufficient number of Para-medical staff in rural areas to boost health care, the minister announced.