2,238 doctor posts vacant in Telangana Govt hospitals, data shows

The data showed that Telangana has 203 government hospitals, including 35 teaching hospitals, 16 speciality hospitals and 152 secondary hospitals, with a combined capacity of 36,984. 

The information was provided in response to a question raised by BRS MLC Sri Naveen Kumar Kurumaiahgari.

However, the shortage of staff varies across the different categories of hospitals. Government General Hospitals attached to medical colleges are comparatively better staffed, with 758 of their 3,423 sanctioned posts lying vacant. In contrast, secondary hospitals, which serve as the backbone of district-level healthcare, have a considerably higher vacancy burden, with 1,480 of 4,092 sanctioned posts remaining unfilled.

Among the 35 Government General Hospitals (Teaching Hospitals), the sanctioned strength is 3423, against which 2942 personnel are currently available, leaving 758 posts vacant. The overall vacancy rate is 22.14%. 

GMC Asifabad has the highest vacancy rate of 72.94%, where, out of 85 required posts, only 23 are filled, leaving 62 posts vacant. In contrast, six hospitals reported no vacancies, with a vacancy rate of 0%. These are Gandhi Hospital, Osmania Medical College, GMC Nalgonda, GMC Karimnagar, GMC Maheshwaram, and GMC Yadadri.

The lowest non-zero vacancy was reported at GMC Narsampet and GMC Medak with 3.39% each (2 vacant out of 59 sanctioned). For the Directorate of Secondary Health Hospitals, the total sanctioned strength across all districts is 4092, of which 2612 are currently filled, and 1480 are vacant, with an overall vacancy percentage of 36.17%.

The Nizamabad District recorded the highest vacancy rate with 56.13%, where out of 253 sanctioned posts, only 111 are filled, and 142 are vacant.

The Karimnagar District reported the lowest vacancy with 7.5%, where out of 40 sanctioned posts, 37 are filled, and only 3 are vacant. 

Commenting on the issue, Dr Karthik Nagula of the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association Telangana told Medical Dialogues, “Having nearly 30% of sanctioned doctor posts vacant in Telangana’s government teaching and secondary hospitals is completely unacceptable. These vacancies directly affect patient care, increase the workload on existing doctors, and weaken the capacity of government hospitals to provide timely and quality healthcare.”

“The government needs to move away from sporadic recruitment and conduct vigorous, regular, and time-bound recruitment cycles to ensure that sanctioned posts are filled without unnecessary delays. Importantly, recruitment should also maintain waiting lists within each applicable reservation category, so that if a selected candidate does not join, resigns, or a vacancy arises shortly thereafter, the next eligible candidate can be appointed promptly. This can significantly reduce the time for which posts remain vacant while ensuring that reservation norms are fully respected,” he added.

According to the doctor, sanctioning posts without filling them serves little purpose. Telangana needs a proactive manpower policy with continuous recruitment, proper workforce planning and effective retention of doctors, particularly specialists.