Lifeline in distress: Himachal's Tanda college struggles under patient overload

Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda (TMC), the only super-specialty hospital serving the lower hills of Himachal Pradesh, is struggling under the weight of rising patient numbers, inadequate staff and outdated infrastructure. Catering to six districts — Kangra, Hamirpur, Una and Chamba — the institution has become the last hope for thousands, but its resources have not kept pace with demand.

The hospital has a sanctioned strength of 860 beds, yet often admits more than 1,000 patients. During peak summer months, two patients are sometimes forced to share a single bed, while others are discharged prematurely to accommodate new arrivals requiring urgent surgery. With no comparable facility in the region, the TMC remains the only option for critical care, resulting in a flood of referrals from neighbouring districts.

A senior doctor at the TMC admitted that the pressure has worsened since the discontinuation of the HIMCARE scheme in private hospitals, forcing patients who previously sought treatment elsewhere to rely solely on Tanda. Many doctors now work double shifts to manage overwhelming OPDs and surgeries. At the same time, several key posts of specialists and super-specialists remain vacant after resignations, with replacements yet to be appointed by the state government.

The doctor emphasised the urgent need to expand facilities, including sanctioning additional posts, creating new wards and installing more diagnostic equipment. “At least five MRI and five CT scan machines are needed to shorten waiting lists,” he said, also stressing the recruitment of more nurses, pharmacists and paramedical staff to maintain services.

Patients echoed these concerns, praising the dedication of doctors and staff but calling on the state government to do more. “The staff is doing its best, but they are overburdened. The hospital should be upgraded at par with PGI-Chandigarh so that no patient has to be referred outside Himachal,” said a patient’s attendant.

Without urgent intervention, Tanda Medical College risks buckling under its own importance, an institution too vital to fail but increasingly stretched beyond its capacity.