No Punjab CHC Has Full Team of Mandatory Specialists, Health Dynamics of India 2023-24 Report Reveals
Punjab’s rural healthcare system is grappling with a severe shortage of medical specialists, with more than 80 per cent of sanctioned specialist posts lying vacant at Community Health Centres (CHCs), according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Health Dynamics of India 2023-24 report.
The report, released on May 12, highlights a major gap in healthcare delivery across the state, revealing that none of Punjab’s 84 functional rural CHCs currently have the complete team of four mandatory specialists—surgeon, physician, gynaecologist and paediatrician—required under national public health norms.
208 Specialist Posts Vacant Across Punjab CHCs
As per the report, Punjab has 259 sanctioned specialist positions at rural CHCs, but only 51 are currently occupied, leaving 208 posts vacant. The vacancy rate exceeds 80 per cent, significantly limiting access to secondary healthcare services for rural populations.
Health experts have warned that the shortage is forcing patients to travel to district hospitals and urban healthcare facilities for specialist consultations and treatment, leading to delays in diagnosis, increased out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and poorer health outcomes.
Sub-Divisional Hospitals Also Struggling With Staff Shortages
The staffing crisis extends beyond CHCs. Punjab’s sub-divisional hospitals are also facing a shortage of specialists, with only 388 of the 648 sanctioned posts filled. A total of 260 specialist positions remain vacant, placing additional pressure on healthcare facilities across the state.
The report further points to a shortage of medical officers. Out of 368 sanctioned posts, only 177 are occupied, leaving more than half of the positions vacant and affecting healthcare accessibility in rural regions.
Punjab Not Alone, National Shortage Remains Alarming
The report indicates that specialist shortages are a nationwide concern. Haryana has only 10 specialists against 34 sanctioned posts in rural CHCs, while Rajasthan is facing 1,098 vacancies out of 1,844 sanctioned positions.
At the national level, rural CHCs require 14,137 specialists, but only 5,223 are currently in position, leaving 8,923 vacancies. Nearly 63 per cent of specialist posts across India remain unfilled, highlighting a persistent challenge in strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure.
Maternal and Child Healthcare Services Most Affected
Public health experts have expressed concern over the absence of gynaecologists and paediatricians at many facilities, warning that maternal and child healthcare services are likely to be severely impacted.
Similarly, shortages of physicians and surgeons can weaken emergency response capabilities, critical care services and the management of chronic diseases at the community level.
The issue comes at a time when Punjab is witnessing growing healthcare demands due to rising lifestyle diseases, an ageing population and an increasing need for specialised medical care.
Government Banking on Empanelment of Private Specialists
The report notes that Punjab has not conducted regular recruitment of medical specialists since 2022. To bridge the gap, the state government introduced the empanelment of private medical specialists for district and sub-divisional hospitals in December last year. The initiative was later extended to Community Health Centres in May this year.
Responding to the findings, Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said the situation is expected to improve in future assessments. He stated that specialist positions at district hospitals have been filled and described the empanelment model as a temporary solution to address immediate shortages.
Laboratory Services Also Under Pressure
Apart from the shortage of doctors, rural healthcare facilities in Punjab are also facing a significant shortage of laboratory technicians. Of the 615 sanctioned laboratory technician posts, only 367 are filled, leaving 248 vacancies.
Experts warn that inadequate laboratory staffing can adversely affect disease diagnosis, surveillance activities and preventive healthcare programmes, further straining the state’s rural health system.
Growing Need for Urgent Recruitment
Healthcare experts have called for urgent recruitment drives and long-term workforce planning to address the widening gap in specialist services. They caution that unless vacancies are filled, key public health programmes, including maternal and child health initiatives and non-communicable disease management, could face serious implementation challenges in rural Punjab.
