Punjab Government Hospitals Face Severe Shortages of Medical Staff Amidst Ongoing Protests

Punjab Government Hospitals Face Severe Shortages of Medical Staff Amidst Ongoing Protests

Punjab’s government hospitals are grappling with a severe shortage of medical officers and specialist doctors, impacting healthcare services across the state. Despite repeated assurances from the state government prioritizing health and education, the situation remains dire.

According to recent reports, Punjab’s healthcare system is currently facing a 59 percent shortage of medical officers and a 57 percent shortage of specialist doctors. In the border district of Fazilka, there are only 51 specialist doctors compared to the sanctioned 152, and just 23 medical officers against the sanctioned 82. Additionally, the district lacks a regular civil surgeon, assistant civil surgeon, and district immunization officer. The Fazilka district hospital is without a senior medical officer (SMO) and a physician, and the district dental officer has been serving as the acting civil surgeon since the previous CS’s transfer last month.

In Sangrur, the Chief Minister’s home district, only one emergency medical officer (EMO) is posted at the district hospital against the sanctioned eight positions. Specialist doctors are being assigned EMO duties, affecting their ability to provide regular outpatient department (OPD) services, leading to patient inconvenience.

The shortage extends to sub-divisional hospitals (SDHs) in Dhuri and Sunam, where each facility has only one EMO, while specialist doctors fulfill their roles in addition to emergency duties.

Inderjeet Manjeet Singh, district president of the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), highlighted the significant gap between sanctioned and filled positions. “The shortage of specialists impacts patient care, especially when doctors are diverted for VIP or night duties,” he said. Singh also emphasized the need for timely promotions to prevent doctor attrition.

In Ludhiana, Punjab’s largest district, there are three physicians spread across its divisional hospital, four sub-divisional hospitals, and ten community health centers. The mother and child hospital in Jagraon currently lacks a regular pediatrician, relying on on-call services from other facilities. Similarly, in Mansa, a psychiatrist must travel between the district de-addiction center, district hospital, and rehabilitation center, which are located 8-10 km apart.

The critical situation has led PCMSA member doctors to initiate protests, starting September 9. They will suspend OPD services from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily until September 11. From September 12 to 15, OPDs and elective surgeries will be suspended for the full day. PCMSA state president Dr. Akhil Sarin stated that out of the 2,689 sanctioned specialist posts, 1,554 remain vacant, while 1,246 out of 2,293 medical officer posts are also unfilled. Dr. Sarin criticized the government for failing to restore the assured career progression (ACP) scheme and address pension and pay issues, leading to low recruitment and retention rates.

Dr. Sarin warned that if negotiations with the Punjab Cabinet Sub-Committee on September 11 fail, further disruptions, including the suspension of medico-legal services, would begin from September 16.