Fill 50 per cent of vacant posts in Tribal Health Centres: HP High Court
Shimla: Noting the acute shortage of medical staff at Civil Hospital Bharmaur and several Community and Primary Health Centres in the tribal region of Chamba district, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to fill at least 50% of the sanctioned posts at the earliest.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court came down heavily on the state government on Wednesday for the acute shortage of medical staff in the Civil Hospital Bharmaur and several Community and Primary Health Centres in the tribal region of Chamba district.
While hearing a civil writ petition filed by Dr Janak Raj, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel directed the Secretary (Health) to ensure at least 50% of the sanctioned posts are filled at the earliest.
According to a UNI report, the court noted with concern that out of 65 sanctioned posts at Civil Hospital Bharmaur, 35 are vacant.
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Only two medical officers have been posted against 11 sanctioned positions since September 2023. The lone post of Dental Surgeon has been lying vacant since 2021, and the post of Chief Pharmacist has remained unfilled since 2016. Additionally, three posts each of Pharmacist and Winter Pharmacist, along with six posts of Staff Nurse, are vacant.
The petitioner, represented by Advocate Suman Thakur, highlighted the grim scenario in not only the Civil Hospital Bharmaur but also CHC Holi, PHC Garola, PHC Mandha, and PHC Jagat. The Court remarked that these health facilities are located in remote and high-altitude tribal areas, where residents endure harsh weather conditions and depend heavily on public health infrastructure, reports UNI.
While the State’s reply was not formally on record, the Court observed that the contents of the draft response were “not very assuring.” The matter will now be heard on June 17, 2025. The Court has also ordered that wherever only one post is sanctioned, the concerned doctor or nurse must be posted immediately.
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