Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has expressed shock over severe staffing shortages at the Trauma Centre of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, which operates with only 44 medical and paramedical staff against a sanctioned strength of 179. The court described the situation as a “very sorry and sordid state of affairs.”
The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Satyen Vaidya, remarked in its Friday order, “This court is extremely disturbed by the deplorable state of affairs regarding the Trauma Centre at IGMC and the manner in which the officials of the state government have repeatedly taken this court for a ride.”
Vacant Posts Paint Grim Picture
During Thursday’s hearing, data presented by Health Secretary M. Sudha Devi and the Director of Medical Education revealed alarming vacancies:
- All 110 sanctioned posts for staff nurses, including trauma nurse coordinators, are vacant.
- No plastic surgeon is available.
- One neurosurgeon against three sanctioned posts.
- One radiologist against two sanctioned posts.
- Five anesthetists against seven sanctioned posts.
- Four orthopedicians against six sanctioned posts.
- Three general surgeons against six sanctioned posts.
- 26 casualty medical officers against 30 sanctioned posts.
- One operation theatre technician against 10 sanctioned posts.
- Three radiographers against four sanctioned posts.
Additionally, there are no nursing attendants, laboratory technicians, MRI technicians, or multi-task workers at the Trauma Centre.
Court’s Directions and Government Assurances
The court noted that ministerial staff and nursing staff levels at IGMC have reduced to 30% and less than 50%, respectively, describing the situation as a wake-up call for the government.
Health Secretary M. Sudha Devi assured the court that:
- Nursing and paramedical staff vacancies will be filled by January 31, 2025.
- Remaining posts will be filled by March 31, 2025.
The court directed the government to provide a status report by January 2, 2025, and emphasized the need for immediate action. The court also urged the state to procure critical equipment, such as a new MRI machine and a PET scan machine for the Cancer Hospital, before the next hearing.
Monitoring Progress
The court scheduled the next hearing for January 2, 2025, to monitor the government’s progress in addressing the staffing and equipment shortages. It expressed hope that effective measures will be taken promptly to resolve the crisis at IGMC’s Trauma Centre.
