Severe Shortage of Specialists, Hospitals Struggle to Handle Complicated Cases
Pune: A recent assessment has revealed a severe shortage of gynecologists in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)-run maternity hospitals. Out of the 21 maternity centers PMC operates, only 19 have functional facilities, but they are being managed by just eight gynecologists.
A ‘gap analysis’ conducted by PMC in 2023 highlighted major deficiencies, including a lack of specialist doctors, blood banks, and ICU units. While some improvements were made, the persistent issue of manpower shortage remains critical. Officials report that due to this, pregnant women requiring emergency C-sections are often rushed to hospitals with available specialists at the last minute.
Critical Staff Shortage Across Maternity Centers
Most of the gynecologists are stationed at Kamala Nehru Hospital, Sonawane Hospital, and Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, where the majority of deliveries take place. However, the situation is worsened by the fact that only six anesthetists are available across the 19 maternity centers, severely limiting the number of C-sections that can be performed.
Dr. Lata Trimbake, medical superintendent of PMC maternity centers, stated, “Despite having a medical college inaugurated in 2022 at Kamala Nehru Hospital, we have not been able to recruit resident doctors or additional staff.”
Many smaller maternity centers lack gynecologists altogether and are staffed only by MBBS-grade medical officers. The situation has deteriorated further due to the derecognition of several courses at the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS), leading to a shortage of senior residents who previously managed OPDs around the clock.
Risk to Patients Due to Delayed Treatment
Due to the critical shortage, complicated pregnancies often face delays in treatment, posing serious risks to both mothers and babies. Patients from smaller maternity centers are frequently referred to Kamala Nehru Hospital or Sassoon Hospital at the last moment, officials admitted.
With an acute shortage of gynecologists and anesthetists, PMC-run maternity hospitals are struggling to provide essential maternal healthcare, making urgent recruitment of specialists a necessity.
