Phased Recruitment Drive to Strengthen Healthcare Infrastructure
Chandigarh: In a significant move to address the shortage of doctors in government hospitals, the Punjab government has approved the creation of 1,390 new Medical Officer (General) posts and will gradually fill these vacancies.
To kick-start the process, the government will first recruit 400 medical officers, filling positions that have remained vacant for the past four years. This will be followed by a phased hiring process for the 1,390 newly approved posts, ensuring equitable distribution across various state-run hospitals.
Four-Year Recruitment Freeze Worsened Crisis
According to a Times of India (TOI) report, Punjab conducted nine rounds of medical officer recruitment between 2009 and 2020. However, the hiring pause since then has intensified the staffing crisis in government hospitals. The recruitment of 400 doctors will be completed first, after which the government will gradually fill the new posts.
Medical Experts Welcome the Decision
Dr. Akhil Sarin, President of the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), lauded the move, stating, “Filling these newly created posts in a phased manner over the next year will significantly enhance healthcare delivery across the state. The recruitment of 400 medical officers, along with the addition of 1,390 new posts, is a much-needed step to ease the burden on the healthcare system.”
He also highlighted other key policy reforms, including:
- Reinstatement of Assured Career Progression (ACP) for medical officers.
- A revised postgraduate policy to support career growth.
- Renewed efforts to combat the drug menace in the state.
Severe Doctor Shortage in Punjab’s Public Hospitals
Punjab’s healthcare system is currently struggling due to a critical shortage of doctors, with only 45% of district hospitals meeting Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS).
The doctor-to-population ratio in Punjab stands at 1.02 doctors per 1,000 people, which is below the national average of 1:811. To improve healthcare access, the government has set an ambitious target to raise the ratio to 2 by 2030 and 4 by 2047.
To achieve this, the state is focusing on:
- Filling vacant posts in government hospitals.
- Introducing new recruitment and promotion policies.
- Ensuring balanced distribution of doctors, particularly in underserved regions.
Improving Staffing in Key Civil Hospitals
The new recruitment drive will significantly boost medical staffing across the state:
- 500-bedded Jalandhar civil hospital: +32 new medical officers (from 24 to 56).
- 160-bedded Barnala civil hospital: +30 new posts.
- Civil hospitals in Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Malerkotla, Moga, Ropar, Sangrur: +29 new posts each.
- Tarn Taran civil hospital: +28 new posts.
- Civil hospitals in Amritsar, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Mohali: +24 new posts each.
The approval of new medical officer posts is expected to bridge the healthcare gap and improve access to medical care, especially in rural and underserved areas.
