Bhopal:
The 50-bed police hospital in Bhopal, inaugurated in November 2024 with the promise of offering specialised medical care to police personnel and their families, is operating more like a daytime dispensary than a fully equipped hospital. Six months post-inauguration, the hospital lacks basic inpatient facilities and continues to face severe manpower shortages.
No Admittance, No Emergency Care
Despite being positioned to serve personnel from 10 police units, the hospital cannot admit patients and only offers outpatient services during extended daytime hours. In cases of emergency or critical illness, patients are immediately referred to other hospitals.
The Outpatient Department (OPD) operates from 8 am to 8 pm, offering only consultations, diagnostic tests, and minor treatments. The Inpatient Department remains non-functional due to an acute lack of medical and support staff.
Severe Staff Crunch: Only 16 Out of 46 Positions Filled
Although the hospital has 46 sanctioned posts, only 16 positions have been filled. Currently, five doctors and one dentist are posted, with two doctors recently deputed from the health department. One of these doctors is currently undergoing treatment in a private hospital.
The hospital also has eight nurses, one eye assistant, and a lab technician. For non-medical roles such as pharmacist and cashier-clerk, police personnel with relevant qualifications have been deployed in the interim.
Contract Doctors, Extended OPD a Stopgap Solution
To handle the influx of nearly 150 patients daily, the hospital recently entered agreements with eight contractual visiting doctors. OPD hours have been extended to 12 hours daily to improve service delivery.
The police department’s welfare branch has also approved recruitment for 17 new contractual posts, including a medical expert, gynaecologist, two medical officers, a matron, seven nurses, a lab technician, a pharmacist, two ward boys, and a dresser. Officials hope this expansion will alleviate the pressure on the limited existing staff.
Systemic Constraints and Future Prospects
Efforts are underway to bring in more paramedical staff with support from the National Health Mission (NHM). However, due to government regulations, only doctors selected through the Public Service Commission (PSC) can be appointed permanently, slowing down recruitment.
Despite its ambitious beginnings, the hospital is far from delivering on its promise of comprehensive healthcare for the police force. Without swift intervention, it risks remaining a symbolic gesture rather than a functional medical facility.
