Over 80 percent specialist doctor posts vacant in Punjab CHCs: Report

Chandigarh: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Health Dynamics of India 2023-24 report has flagged a critical gap in Punjab’s rural healthcare system, revealing that over 80 per cent of specialist posts at Community Health Centres (CHCs) are vacant and that not a single CHC in the state has the full complement of four mandatory medical specialists required under public health norms. 

The report, released on May 12, states that all 84 functional rural CHCs in Punjab are operating without the complete team of surgeon, physician, gynaecologist, and paediatrician, which are essential for delivering comprehensive secondary healthcare services at the block level. 

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According to the news reports, out of 259 sanctioned specialist posts in these CHCs, only 51 are filled, leaving 208 vacant, an alarming vacancy rate of over 80%. The shortage severely restricts access to secondary healthcare in rural areas, forcing patients to travel to district hospitals or urban centres for even basic specialist treatment. 

Speaking to Hindustan Times, health experts warn that such gaps in staffing can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, increased healthcare expenditure for rural families and poorer health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations.

The crisis is not limited to CHCs; sub-divisional hospitals are also under severe strain. Of 648 sanctioned specialist posts, only 388 are currently filled, leaving 260 vacant.

Punjab is also grappling with a shortage of medical officers. Out of 368 sanctioned posts, just 177 are filled. Health experts warn that this imbalance increases pressure on existing staff and reduces the quality and reach of healthcare services in rural regions.

The report notes that similar staffing challenges are being observed in other states as well. According to Hindustan Times, Haryana has only 10 specialists against 34 sanctioned posts in rural CHCs, resulting in a vacancy rate of 70.6%. Rajasthan has 1,098 vacancies out of 1,844 sanctioned specialist posts, a vacancy rate of 59.5%. As to Himachal Pradesh, the report records nine specialists in position despite showing no sanctioned posts, indicating a surplus or reporting anomaly. At the national level, rural CHCs require 14,137 specialists but have only 5,223 in position, leaving 8,923 vacancies. Nearly two-thirds, or 63%, of specialist posts remain vacant across the country.

At the same time, Punjab is facing rising demand for healthcare services due to an increasing burden of lifestyle diseases, an ageing population, and a growing need for specialised care. Public health experts have cautioned that existing shortages could undermine key government health programmes, including maternal and child health and non-communicable disease management.

The absence of gynaecologists and paediatricians is especially concerning as it directly affects maternal and child healthcare delivery, while shortages of surgeons and physicians limit emergency response and critical care at the community level.

The report further stated that Punjab has not undertaken regular recruitment of medical specialists since 2022. To address the gap, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh introduced the empanelment of private medical specialists for district and sub-divisional hospitals in December last year, later extending the scheme to CHCs in May this year.

Responding to the report, the minister said the situation would improve in future assessments, noting that Punjab has more sanctioned specialist posts in CHCs than several larger states. He added that specialist posts in district hospitals have been filled and defended the empanelment approach as a stopgap measure.

Meanwhile, laboratory services in rural healthcare facilities are also under strain. Of 615 sanctioned posts for laboratory technicians, only 367 are filled, leaving 248 vacancies, further impacting diagnosis, disease surveillance, and preventive healthcare delivery in rural areas.

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