Punjab: Only two specialist doctors will be deployed for VIP duties

Chandigarh: Only two specialist doctors will now be deployed during VVIP and VIP visits in Punjab, as the state health department has revised its deployment policy to reduce the burden on government hospitals and address the acute shortage.

Under the new guidelines issued on Tuesday, only two specialist doctors- one doctor from MD anaesthesia or MD medicine, and one from MS surgery or MS orthopaedics, and an emergency medical officer, along with essential support staff, will be assigned only for visits of the Punjab Governor, Chief Minister, and Deputy Chief Minister.

This ensures that only one specialist from each category will be selected for such duties. These medical teams will function under the supervision of the medical education and research department and will be supervised by a senior medical officer.

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The revised policy also clearly states that specialist doctors will no longer be posted at protest sites, sports events, fairs, or cultural programmes. For these duties, rural medical officers (RMOs) and paramedical staff will be deployed instead.

The number of specialists has been cut down from the earlier five to just two, since previously, there was no clear list of VIPs eligible for specialist medical cover. Earlier, a single VVIP team comprised five specialist doctors. This included two intensive care specialists or physicians, one MD medicine and one MD anaesthesia, two trauma surgeons, one MS orthopaedics and one MS surgery, and one MD pathology specialist.

Because of this, specialists were often sent for the visits of ministers, chief ministers from other states, and even political party programmes. Doctors had repeatedly complained that such duties were affecting patient care in hospitals, especially OPDs.

Welcoming the move, the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) state president Dr Akhi Sarin told HT, "The rationalisation will ensure better availability of specialist doctors for patients visiting hospital OPDs and facilitate smoother access to specialised healthcare services, particularly for the poor and underprivileged sections of society."

He told TOI, "It was long overdue and addressed a core concern repeatedly raised by govt doctors. Curtailing the number of specialists deputed for VVIP duties would directly translate into better availability of doctors for surgeries, emergency care and outpatient services in govt hospitals. The policy introduced clarity and predictability in deployment, reduced avoidable strain on already stretched institutions, and ensured accountability while maintaining adequate medical cover for dignitaries."

He added that "The decision reflected a balanced approach that placed patient care at the centre of administrative planning. These guidelines safeguard the interests of patients who depend on govt hospitals on a daily basis, while still ensuring that VVIPs and VIPs receive timely and professional medical care. It is a rational, system-oriented reform that strengthens both protocol management and public health delivery."

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