Staff Crunch: 28 percent doctor posts remain vacant at Assam Medical College Hospital
Dibrugarh: A shortage of doctors, nurses and support staff is placing increasing pressure on the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh, with 121 of the 434 sanctioned doctor posts lying vacant and only 449 nurses serving a hospital with nearly 2,000 beds.
According to the news reports, only 313 of the 434 sanctioned doctor posts are currently filled, leaving nearly 28 per cent vacant. The vacant posts are spread across 23 departments, with several units reportedly operating with limited manpower. The shortage of junior doctors has further added to the workload of the existing medical teams.
The staffing shortage has also reportedly been linked to the transfer of doctors and other employees to newly established medical colleges in neighbouring districts, including Tinsukia and Lakhimpur. Posts that fell vacant following these transfers have reportedly not yet been filled.
The nursing workforce has remained particularly stretched as the hospital's bed capacity has more than doubled over the decades. When AMCH was upgraded from a medical school to a medical college in 1947, the hospital had around 900 beds and 449 nurses. In 2026, its bed capacity has increased to nearly 2,000, while the number of nurses remains at 449, reports India Today NE.
The imbalance has significantly increased the workload on nursing staff. During night shifts, one nurse is reportedly responsible for 150 to 200 patients. The staffing shortage also extends to other categories of employees, including Grade IV workers.
AMCH serves as a major referral healthcare institution for the region and also receives patients from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. The wide catchment area adds further pressure to its already stretched infrastructure and manpower.
The hospital is also reportedly facing challenges with its diagnostic facilities. Its MRI and CT scan machines are prone to frequent breakdowns, according to available information.
When these machines are not operational, patients may have to seek diagnostic services at private laboratories or hospitals. For economically weaker patients, this can create a significant financial burden, with advanced diagnostic tests at private facilities costing thousands of rupees.
The challenges at AMCH come at a time when Assam's medical education and healthcare infrastructure has expanded considerably, with new medical colleges being established across the state.
However, for patients who continue to depend on AMCH for affordable and specialised treatment, shortages of doctors, nurses, support staff, and functional diagnostic equipment remain significant concerns.
Also Read:Assam Plans Medical College in Every District; MBBS Seats to Reach 5,000 by 2030, Says CM
