Despite a severe shortage of doctors, paramedical personnel, and other staff, the authorities at Sub-Divisional Civil Hospital, Jagadhri, are making continuous efforts to ensure patients receive uninterrupted medical services. The shortage has increased the workload on existing staff, placing additional pressure on healthcare services. However, the hospital administration has adopted various measures to manage the situation efficiently and minimize inconvenience to patients.
Vacant Posts and Rising Patient Numbers
According to available information, 22 posts of Medical Officers are lying vacant at Civil Hospital, Jagadhri. At present, the hospital has only 20 Medical Officers against a sanctioned strength of 42. Despite the shortage, several Medical Officers are also engaged in medico-legal work, post-mortem examinations, emergency services, VIP duties, and various administrative responsibilities, affecting the delivery of routine medical services.
In addition, one of the three sanctioned posts of Senior Medical Officer is vacant, as is one of the two posts of Deputy Medical Superintendent. The hospital also has 21 vacancies among 38 sanctioned staff nurse posts, all five posts of Nursing Sister are vacant, four of the eight pharmacist posts remain unfilled, and four of the five radiographer posts are vacant. Besides these, several posts in other departments of the hospital are also lying vacant.
Impact on Doctors and Patients
The shortage has significantly increased the workload on the existing doctors, who are struggling to cope with a steadily rising number of patients. At Civil Hospital, Jagadhri, a doctor reportedly examines around 100 to 150 patients every day, placing tremendous physical and mental pressure on medical staff and affecting the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. The hospital records an average outdoor patient (OPD) attendance of about 800 patients daily.
There are many occasions when doctors are unavailable because of leave or official duties, leaving patients with no option but to wait. Patients visiting the hospital have expressed concern over the situation.
Amarnath, a resident of Jagadhri who suffers from several health complications, said he regularly visited the hospital for treatment but often had to wait for long periods because of the large number of patients and the shortage of doctors. “The government should take immediate steps to strengthen healthcare services by filling the vacant posts,” said Amarnath.
Another patient said he could not afford treatment at private hospitals because of his poor financial condition, making government hospitals his only option. “Government hospitals mainly serve poor and needy people. The vacant posts should be filled immediately and specialist doctors should be made available at all hospitals so that patients do not have to depend on expensive private healthcare,” he said.
Medical Professionals Speak Out
Medical professionals also acknowledge that the shortage of staff has increased pressure on those currently in service. A Medical Officer said doctors were required to handle not only outpatient and inpatient services but also emergency duties, administrative work, medico-legal cases, post-mortems, and other official responsibilities, making it difficult to devote adequate time to every patient.
While the shortage of medical personnel remains a major challenge, officials maintain that the availability of medicines at the hospital is largely satisfactory.
Dr Anuj Mangla, Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital, Jagadhri, said doctors and pharmacists frequently continued working beyond official duty hours to ensure every patient visiting the hospital received treatment. He said the hospital continued to provide round-the-clock emergency services, maternity care, and newborn care despite the manpower shortage. “The hospital administration remains committed to delivering the best possible healthcare services until additional appointments are made,” said Dr Anuj Mangla. He added that the hospital had repeatedly submitted requests to the government for the appointment of additional doctors and other staff.
Call for Government Action
Social worker Anil Kumar said the continuing shortage of doctors and healthcare staff highlighted the urgent need for the government to fill vacant posts and strengthen public healthcare infrastructure. “Timely recruitment of doctors and specialists will not only reduce the burden on existing staff but also improve the quality and accessibility of medical services for thousands of residents who depend on government hospitals every day,” said Anil Kumar.
