Punjab to appoint Facility Managers in District Hospitals for improved management

“It is informed that an approval has been granted for outsourcing facility managers for the district hospitals (initially for 1 year) at the level of senior medical officers through an outsourced agency hired by the Punjab Health System Corporation (PHSC),” reads the letter issued by the health director to the civil surgeons.

The Health Department has already reached out to civil surgeons to assess the number of facility managers required in each district. This initiative comes in the wake of mounting criticism over ongoing operational issues in state-run hospitals, including frequent power outages, inadequate basic infrastructure, malfunctioning medical equipment, medicine shortages, and lapses in security, reports Hindustan Times. 

Each facility manager will receive a monthly remuneration of Rs. 30,000. Their responsibilities will include streamlining hospital operations, ensuring optimal use of services, managing logistics, maintaining equipment, and improving the overall quality of healthcare services and public amenities. The government hopes that this step will lead to noticeable improvements in the functioning and efficiency of public health institutions throughout Punjab.

Traditionally, these hospitals have been overseen by medical superintendents and senior doctors, most of whom lack formal training in administration. The new facility managers are expected to bring a structured and professional approach to hospital management. A senior health official told Hindustan Times, “Despite the government putting in funds and efforts, there was a lack of management owing to the overburden of work. These facility managers will assist the medical superintendent and ensure better health facilities for the poor patients.”

Commenting on the issue, Punjab Civil Medical Services Association President Dr Akhil Sarin, said, “It can be given a try as it can facilitate optimal working of the district hospitals, provided the facility managers work under the SMOs’ control. This move needs to be coupled with filling of vacant health workers’ positions.”