Crisis at Tanda: Staff shortage cripples emergency services at state’s key hospital

The emergency and trauma care services at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Tanda, are under severe strain due to an acute shortage of medical officers. Of the 14 sanctioned posts, only seven are currently filled — crippling the hospital’s ability to manage critical cases effectively.

RPGMC, the second-largest hospital in Himachal Pradesh, plays a vital role in serving nearly half the state, receiving emergency referrals from six districts — Kangra, Chamba, Mandi, Una, Hamirpur and Kullu. The shortage is particularly alarming given the volume and severity of emergency cases it handles.

The Level Two Trauma Centre, inaugurated by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on October 28 last year, was sanctioned eight posts for the trauma wing and six for emergency. However, only three medical officers are posted in the trauma centre and four in the emergency wing.

“The situation is dire, especially during night-time emergencies when barely half the already-limited staff is on duty,” said Raghubir, a relative of a patient from Tissa (Chamba), expressing deep frustration with the system.

Patients and their families frequently encounter long wait times and overcrowded conditions, further compounding their distress. Despite repeated concerns, there appears to be little urgency in addressing the staffing crisis.

No hospital official was willing to speak on record and internal sources confirm that the issue is well-known to top-level authorities. “Everyone is passing the buck. The solution lies with those in power — when they choose to act,” a source said. Repeated attempts to reach officials at the Secretariat or Ministerial level yielded no response.