HONOLULU (Island News) – Across Hawaii, women say finding an OB-GYN is becoming increasingly difficult, with some waiting months for appointments or being told care is only available if they’re pregnant.
From Honolulu to Hilo, several clinics are booked far in advance, while others aren’t accepting new patients at all. It’s part of a larger issue: the state’s ongoing physician shortage.
According to the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, the islands are short nearly 800 full-time doctors, and OB-GYNs are among the hardest to find. Many providers are retiring, leaving fewer physicians to handle growing patient demand.
“Thirty years ago, one doctor could replace another,” said Hilton Raethel, CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii. “Now, to keep up with the same workload, you really need one and a half to two physicians.”…