The rural healthcare infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district is crumbling under the weight of acute staff shortages, inadequate resources, and poor connectivity, leaving its residents grappling with basic medical needs.
According to the latest Health Dynamics of India report from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there is an 80 per cent shortfall of specialist doctors at Community Health Centres (CHCs) across the nation.
The situation in Arunachal Pradesh is particularly severe, with only eight out of the required 224 specialist posts filled, leaving a deficit of 216.
Dr Gepeng Litin, District Medical Officer (DMO) of Upper Siang, remarked, “CHCs are supposed to have at least four major specialist doctors, but due to shortages, we cannot provide specialists in many centres, including district hospitals.”
Residents forced to travel miles for basic care
In Upper Siang, the four CHCs lack specialists, pushing patients to rely on distant hospitals for even minor ailments. Residents of Mariyang, for instance, often travel 79 kilometres to the Bakin Pertin General Hospital in Pasighat.
“We don’t go to the CHCs for treatment because there are no proper facilities,” lamented a local. “Without basic amenities like X-ray machines or operation rooms, the CHCs fail to meet our healthcare needs.”
The Mariyang CHC, designated for a 30-bed capacity, operates with just 15 beds and lacks an operation theatre and X-ray facilities. Although it has a labour room and laboratory, irregular attendance by medical staff and insufficient resources hinder its operations.
Dr Litin acknowledged these gaps, stating, “Currently, Mariyang has two doctors—one allopathic and one AYUSH. A dental doctor has also been appointed recently. While we need more doctors, we are actively seeking support and making incremental improvements. Emergency ambulance services are in place, but road blockages sometimes cause delays.”
The situation is even worse in remote areas like Bine village in Adi Pasi. The sub-centre, intended to serve as the first point of contact for rural healthcare, is severely under-equipped.
Local health workers revealed that the facility lacks essential tools for basic procedures like stitching wounds.
Structural damage and water leakage further degrade the building, while poor road connectivity hampers access. Villagers often carry injured relatives for hours to reach the sub-centre, only to find it unable to help.
“Our elders and children suffer the most,” said a resident. “We don’t need extravagant facilities, just the basics—staff, medicines, and proper equipment.”
Authorities acknowledge challenges
District Medical Officer Dr Litin noted that plans for a new wellness centre building in Bine are underway, alongside proposals for additional medical equipment and supplies.
However, severe staffing shortages persist, compounded by the lack of proper staff accommodations.
Zilla Parishad Member Nano Moyong criticised the disparity between official claims and ground realities. “The authorities show everything as being in order, but they never check the actual conditions,” said a villager.
Despite a renovation in 2021, there has been little improvement in healthcare services at the Bine sub-centre. The absence of staff quarters and proper drainage facilities has made it challenging for medical personnel to work consistently.
The healthcare crisis in Upper Siang highlights the deep disparities in rural healthcare access across India.
Ailing infrastructure, inadequate resources, and staff shortages leave thousands of residents in limbo.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has yet to respond to queries regarding the overall state of Arunachal Pradesh’s rural health infrastructure.
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