PGI nursing staff grapple with increased workload

The nursing staff at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) is grappling with a growing workload, even as the administration maintains that over 91% of sanctioned posts have been filled.

The discrepancy between statistical fulfilment and practical sufficiency has triggered concern among the nursing workforce and calls for urgent recruitment, especially with the institute expanding its services.

Responding to a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) concerning patient suffering due to alleged staff shortage—based on a media report dated June 17 —the PGIMER filed a status report on June 27. It informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that out of 2,597 sanctioned nursing posts, 2,373 have been filled, with only 224 remaining vacant. It emphasised that 194 of the vacancies pertain to Senior Nursing Officers, on which the Central Administrative Tribunal has issued as stay order.

The affidavit stated, “This clearly reflects that the news item claiming more than 60 per cent vacant posts in the nursing cadre is wrong… 91.3% of the total sanctioned posts are filled.”

However, ground realities narrated by the nursing staff present a different picture. Manjeek Kaur, president of the PGI Nursing Association, argues that the conversation needs to go beyond the sanctioned numbers. “We’re not merely facing vacancies, but are struggling with an outdated staffing framework. The current patient load demands nearly 3,000 additional nursing officers as per Staff Inspection Unit (SIU) norms, a number far above the sanctioned posts. These posts themselves don’t reflect the true needs of the institute today,” she stated.

Departments such as ICUs, gynaecology, postnatal, surgical wards and urology are bearing the brunt of the staff shortage. In PGI’s bustling Emergency wing, only seven to eight nurses are typically on duty for around 350 patients. This translates into roughly 50 patients per nurse, far exceeding the recommended norms. Patients in corridors and trolleys are not officially counted, though they receive the same level of care.

The shortage has a cascading impact. Promotions have stagnated, with eligible nurses waiting for over three years. Due to high experience bar for senior roles, many top-level vacancies effectively remain unfilled. “Of 22 Deputy Nursing Superintendent posts, only 12 are filled, and 194 Senior Nursing Officer posts remain stuck under litigation. We’re left without leadership or movement,” said Kaur.

Beyond numbers, the human cost is evident. “Nurses in their late 50s are doing night duties, working without sanctioned childcare leave, battling fatigue, back pain and chronic stress,” Kaur said. “It’s affecting not just our health, but also how we interact with patients. With no time to explain or comfort, complaints of rude behaviour have risen. Verbal and physical abuse in high-stress areas is increasing.”

While the PGIMER is preparing to launch two major centres—the Advanced Neurosciences Centre and Maternal and Child Care Block—the nurses argue the new facilities cannot function without fresh recruitment. “It’s not a question of expansion but of survival—for both staff and patients,” Kaur warned.

Deputy Director (Administration) Pankaj Rai confirmed that internal meetings are going on to expedite nursing appointments and address grievances. The union, however, insists that unless staffing norms are revised to reflect present-day workload and recruitment rules and promotions are made realistic and transparent, the situation will continue to deteriorate.