Healthcare in crisis Shillai’s plea for doctors amidst 11 vacant posts

Healthcare facilities in Shillai Assembly constituency of Sirmaur district are grappling with a severe shortage of doctors, leaving thousands of residents in remote and rural areas without adequate medical care. The issue has been formally raised before Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu through Industries, Parliamentary Affairs, Labour & Employment Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, who is also the MLA of Shillai, seeking urgent intervention for filling up the vacant posts.

According to the latest official information, as many as 11 post of doctors are lying vacant across the Civil Hospital, Shillai, and several primary health centres (PHCs) in the constituency. The Shillai hospital alone has three vacant positions, while Community Health Centre, Ronhat, is functioning without any permanent doctor, there are two sanctioned post of doctors and both are lying vacant. One post each is vacant at PHCs in Nainidhar, Hallan, Kota Pab, Kanti Mashwah, Jakhna and Chandni.

The situation has raised grave concerns among residents as these institutions cater to a population of more than one lakh people, largely belonging to Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste communities. The lack of adequate medical staff has left many villages struggling for timely and quality healthcare.

Residents who submitted the representation to Industries Minister in his office at Vidhan Sabha during ongoing Monsoon session have pointed out that despite being the key healthcare hub in the region, the Civil Hospital, Shillai, currently has no specialist doctors posted. This has created a serious gap in medical services, forcing patients to travel long distances to access critical healthcare in Nahan, Paonta Sahib or even outside the district.

“These institutions are located in highly remote and underserved areas where medical accessibility is already a challenge. Immediate posting of doctors and specialists is essential to provide relief to the vulnerable sections of society,” residents stressed.

Industries Minister and local MLA Harshwardhan Chauhan has extended support to the demand, assuring that the government is committed to strengthening healthcare in the constituency. “The people of Shillai deserve better medical facilities and I will ensure that the matter of vacant posts is pursued vigorously with the CM. Providing adequate doctors and specialists in our hospitals and health centres is among my top priorities,” he said.

The matter has now been brought to the attention of the Chief Minister, urging his intervention to ensure that vacant posts of doctors and specialists are filled without delay. The residents of Shillai hope that the government’s timely action will address the longstanding shortage of doctors and bring much-needed relief to the region.