In India, there is an 80% shortage of specialists at community health centers (CHCs). According to governmental reports, surgeons, obstetricians and gynecologists, doctors, and pediatricians fall under this category.

Community health centers are a crucial component of the infrastructure for primary healthcare. They act as referral hubs for primary healthcare facilities (PHCs) and feature 30 indoor beds, one operating room, an X-ray room, a labor room, and mandatory lab equipment. A CHC must have at least four medical professionals on staff, including a surgeon, physician, obstetrician/gynecologist, and pediatrician.

Despite a projected rise in the number of specialists at CHCs from 3,550 in 2005 to 4,485 in 2022, the document notes that there is still a shortage of 83% of surgeons, 74% of obstetricians and gynecologists, 79% of doctors, and 82% of pediatricians.

According to the report, "Overall, there is a shortage of 79.5% of experts at CHCs compared to the need for existing CHCs." Also, the shortage of health aides at PHC (male and female combined) is 74.2%. The report also showed that there is a 3.1% shortage of allopathic doctors at PHC, out of the total demand across the nation.

Additionally, the report also showed that Odisha (298), Chhattisgarh (279), and Karnataka (60) had a severe lack of physicians at the PHC level.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/hospitals/80-shortfall-of-medical-specialists-in-villages-government/97299620 )