UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich. A new report from the NYS Comptroller's Office highlights the severe shortage of healthcare professionals in Chenango County. (Photo by Shawn Magrath)

NORWICH – Chenango County is on a list of 16 rural counties that faces a severe healthcare professional shortage, according to a new report released by the New York State Comptroller’s Office.

The report highlights "alarming shortfalls” in primary care, pediatric, and obstetrician and gynecologist (OBGYN) doctors, dentists and mental health practitioners.

Most severe, the report states, is the shortage of mental health doctors. All 16 rural counties studied are designated by the federal government as areas having professional shortages.

The shortfall of healthcare workers in Chenango County adds another burden to an aging population of roughly 45,800 people. About 31 percent of the county (14,333 people) is enrolled in Medicaid – the third highest Medicaid enrollment of the 16 rural counties mentioned in the comptroller’s report.