Phagwara Civil Hospital struggles with staff crunch

Phagwara: Punjab continues to report a shortage of doctors, with the 110-bedded Phagwara Civil Hospital being the latest one to report a severe shortage of staff and specialist doctors.  

Out of the 31 sanctioned posts of medical officers in the hospital, only 17 posts are filled. The posts of surgeon, radiologists, anaesthetists, pathologists and medical officers are lying vacant.

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The existing staff members at the hospital are facing pressure since the hospital caters to more than 500 outdoor patients on a daily basis. 

According to the Senior Medical Officer (SMO), out of the 119 sanctioned posts of medical and para-medical staff in the hospital, around 54 are lying vacant. Around nine posts of staff nurses are lying vacant, as per a media report in the Tribune. 

Similarly, one lab technician post, two senior pharmacy officer posts, an accountant, one clerk, two posts of drivers, one gardener, two operation theatre Assistants, five posts of sweepers, 15 posts of ward attendants and one post of a dental mechanic are also lying vacant in the hospital. There is no cleaning staff and driver at the hospital as well. There is no permanent post of a physician. 

Meanwhile, the SMO Dr Lehmber said that they have written to the higher officials regarding the filling up of vacant posts. 

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported about the shortage of specialist doctors at the Nakodar Civil Hospital in Punjab due to which the staff was reportedly working under severe pressure. Around 14 posts of medical officers in 50-bed hospitals and the posts of surgeon, ENT specialists, radiologists, anaesthetist, pathologist, and two posts of medical officer are lying vacant in the hospital. The hospital staff, which caters to more than 500 outdoor patients for treatment, is reported to be buckling under pressure due to the shortage of doctors. 

Also Read:Punjab: Nakodar Civil Hospital struggles with shortage of specialist doctors