Punjab turns to retired specialists to fix crippling doctor shortage in public hospitals
In a move both pragmatic and desperate, the health department has invited retired govt doctors to apply for 100 contractual posts of consultants (specialist doctors) across district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, and community health centres (CHCs).
This recruitment drive comes amid a deepening crisis in Punjab's healthcare system. Of the 2,098 sanctioned specialist posts, 990 (47%) remain vacant. The situation is no better in the general medical officer cadre, where 1,962 of 3,847 posts (51%) are unfilled.
Irregular recruitment cycles and growing attrition have compounded the shortage, with previous efforts to hire yielding underwhelming results.
In 2022, the state attempted to recruit 634 specialist doctors, but faced a poor response. Recently, out of 170 advertised posts, only 60 doctors joined. Experts attribute this reluctance to factors such as pay disparities, frequent deployment for VVIP duties, and lack of emergency medical staff, which often forces specialists to handle tasks outside their core responsibilities — including post-mortems and emergency coverage.
The health department is now banking on the experience of retired PCMS specialists, aged between 58 and 64 years, to fill critical service gaps. The upper age limit for appointment is 65, and applicants must be free of disciplinary proceedings.
The 100 consultant posts will be distributed across specialties — 21 in paediatrics, 20 each in obstetrics and gynaecology, and general medicine, 15 in general surgery, 13 in anaesthesia, seven in radiology, and four in psychiatry.
Appointments will be on a contractual basis for one year, extendable annually based on performance and departmental approval. Consultants will perform only clinical duties — outpatient, inpatient, and emergency care — and will be exempt from medico-legal, administrative, or post-mortem responsibilities.
They will not be allowed to engage in private practice during the contractual period. Applications are being accepted via email from July 12 to 22, with counselling scheduled for July 25 in Chandigarh.
Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) president Dr Akhil Sarin described it as a "step in the right direction" toward improving healthcare access for the poor and underserved. He noted that walk-in interviews for an additional 160 specialist posts are also in the pipeline.
Dr Sarin added that planned reforms, including the restoration of the modified assured career progression (MACP) scheme and enhanced security measures, which are nearing implementation, could play a crucial role in improving recruitment and retention in the public health cadre.
"The govt's renewed focus on reinforcing clinical manpower is encouraging," Dr Sarin said. "If supported with systemic reforms, these measures can significantly ease pressure on public hospitals.
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Under Court Scrutiny
The crisis has also caught the attention of the judiciary. The Punjab and Haryana high court, hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Bhisham Kinger of Malerkotla, has directed the principal secretary, health, to submit a detailed affidavit on infrastructure and manpower gaps in govt health facilities.
The court has also asked for an update on the status and timeline of the ongoing recruitment process.
Pay disparities to blame
Experts attribute the reluctance of specialists to join service in Punjab to factors such as pay disparities, frequent deployment for VVIP duties, and lack of emergency medical staff
They say this often forces specialists to handle tasks outside their core responsibilities, including post-mortems and emergency coverage
Of 2,098 sanctioned specialist posts in Punjab, 990 (47%) remain vacant. The situation is no better in the general medical officer cadre, where 1,962 of 3,847 posts (51%) are unfilled
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