Hyderabad, April 13: Telangana health worker density lowest in South India, recent National Health Profile data revealed. The report flagged a serious gap in healthcare staffing across the state. As a result, public health experts raised concerns over service delivery.
Telangana has around 30 health workers per 10,000 population. However, the national average stands at 49.5. The report also noted a 27 percent shortfall compared to the national level.
Telangana Health Worker Density Lowest in South India Raises Concern
The density remains below the WHO benchmark of 44.5. In contrast, states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu report higher ratios. Therefore, Telangana lags behind both regional and global standards.
The data also showed a skewed doctor to nurse ratio. Telangana records a ratio of 1:1.3, while the ideal level is 1:3. This gap indicates a shortage of nursing staff in the system.
Moreover, vacancies persist across key healthcare roles. Government hospitals report 15 to 20 percent vacancies in lab technicians and pharmacists. In addition, paramedical staff shortages exceed 25 percent in several districts.
Community Health Centres also face a lack of specialists. About half of specialist doctor posts remain vacant. Only a small share of centres meet full staffing norms.
The report warned that rising population will increase pressure. Telangana may reach 3.84 crore population by 2026. Meanwhile, the elderly population is also expected to grow.
Urban concentration of healthcare workers adds to the issue. Areas like Hyderabad have better access. However, rural regions continue to face shortages. This imbalance may affect healthcare delivery in the state.
