Chandigarh – The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that 91.3% of its sanctioned nursing posts are currently filled, rejecting recent media claims suggesting nearly 60% vacancy and blaming it for overcrowding and stress on healthcare services.
The clarification was submitted in the form of an affidavit in response to suo motu proceedings initiated by the High Court on June 19, after a media report highlighted alleged massive vacancies in nursing staff at the premier hospital.
Vacancy Claims Disputed
In its affidavit, PGIMER stated:
- 91.3% of nursing posts are filled across various categories.
- The 194 vacant posts for Senior Nursing Officers are under court litigation, and appointments will proceed once a legal verdict is issued.
- Only 8.5% of other nursing cadre posts — such as Assistant Nursing Superintendent, Deputy Nursing Superintendent, Nursing Officer, and Public Health Nursing Officer — remain vacant, largely due to recent resignations and the lack of eligible internal candidates.
Hospital Support Staff Shortages Admitted
However, PGIMER did acknowledge concerns in its hospital support staff. Of the 519 sanctioned hospital attendant posts, only 191 are filled, leaving 328 vacancies. To mitigate the impact:
- 121 of these vacancies have been temporarily filled with housekeeping staff.
- The remaining 207 vacant posts are in the process of being filled.
Additionally, PGIMER has outsourced housekeeping operations to a private contractor who has deployed 1,093 workers, including 124 relievers, to ensure smooth non-clinical services.
Recent Protests and Bond Concerns
The staffing issues come against the backdrop of recent protests by over 450 nursing students, many from the National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE), who accused PGIMER of failing to recruit its own graduates, despite their completion of courses under bond agreements.
The protests, combined with media scrutiny, triggered the High Court’s intervention.
What’s Next?
The court is expected to examine PGIMER’s affidavit and staffing plan in upcoming hearings. Meanwhile, the institute has assured that proactive efforts are underway to address remaining vacancies and that essential services remain unaffected.
This clarification marks an important moment in the ongoing debate over staffing adequacy in India’s top medical institutes and could influence future policy regarding healthcare workforce planning and recruitment transparency.
