Paonta Sahib Civil Hospital grapples with staff shortage

The Civil Hospital in Paonta Sahib, one of the busiest medical facilities in Sirmaur district after the Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Medical College and Hospital in Nahan, is facing a severe staff shortage, significantly affecting healthcare services. Of the 153 sanctioned positions in the hospital, 77 remain vacant, raising concerns about the quality and efficiency of medical care.

The crisis is most pronounced in critical roles such as staff nurses and Class IV employees. Out of the 37 sanctioned positions for staff nurses, 27 remain unfilled, creating an immense workload for the existing nurses. Similarly, 21 posts for Class IV employees, including essential support roles, are also vacant. The shortage highlights the challenges in providing high-quality healthcare, despite government commitments to improving medical services.

The hospital, which handles 700 to 900 outpatients daily, was upgraded to a 150-bed facility during the previous BJP-led state government. It has multiple specialised wards, including gynecology, orthopaedic, paediatric, neonatal special care unit (NSCU), surgery and emergency units. However, the shortage of healthcare professionals is putting immense strain on the existing medical and support staff.

One of the most affected departments is the paediatric ward. Since the promotion of the hospital's paediatric specialist last year, neonatal and child care services have been under stress, impacting newborn care in the region. The hospital is struggling to maintain consistent paediatric services due to a lack of qualified personnel.

The data reveals alarming gaps across various departments: Doctors: 4 positions remain vacant; Staff Nurses: 27 out of 37 positions are unfilled; Class IV Employees: 21 vacant positions; Outsourced Sweeper Staff: 9 positions unfilled; and radiographers: 3 vacancies.

Other Essential Positions: Two posts each for matron, driver and operation theater assistant (OTA) remain vacant, along with key posts such as ophthalmic officer, lab attendant, cleaner, cook, midwife, nursing orderly and gardener.

The most pressing issue is the shortage of staff nurses, forcing the existing nurses to manage up to three different wards simultaneously. This excessive workload leads to exhaustion and impacts the overall quality of patient care. Many nurses are unable to take regular leaves due to the overwhelming demand.

Confirming the ongoing crisis, Dr Sudhi Gupta, in-charge of the Civil Hospital, Paonta Sahib, acknowledged the difficulties caused by staff shortages. They stated that the hospital administration has repeatedly informed the state health department and government authorities about the vacancies and urged for urgent recruitment to ensure smooth healthcare delivery.

The lack of adequate staffing in a crucial healthcare facility like Paonta Sahib Civil Hospital underscores the need for immediate intervention from the Himachal Pradesh government.

With rising patient numbers and limited resources, the quality of medical services continues to decline, posing a serious risk to public health. If the vacancies remain unaddressed, the hospital's ability to serve the community effectively may be further compromised in the coming months.