Pune Civic Body Grapples With 74% Shortage Of Specialized Doctors And Medical Staff
Pune Civic Body Grapples With 74% Shortage Of Specialized Doctors And Medical Staff
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) health department is facing a severe crisis due to an acute shortage of medical workforce. A staggering 74% of specialized doctor and staff positions remain vacant, leaving the city’s healthcare facilities struggling to cope with the demand.
The shortage is particularly acute among Class one specialist doctors, including gynecologists, pediatricians, neurologists, ENT surgeons, and cardiologists. According to PMC data, out of 1,164 approved positions, 434 remain unfilled. This vacancy rate not only affects the quality of healthcare services but also puts immense pressure on the existing medical staff.
Dr. Nina Borade, PMC health chief, has assured media that efforts are underway to fill the vacant positions. A review meeting was held with the additional municipal commissioner to assess the situation and explore solutions. The health department plans to propose additional posts to better meet the city’s needs, considering the population growth over the past decade.
“The current approved posts are based on the city’s population recorded a decade ago. We will put up a proposal to include more posts in the health department considering the rising population,” Dr. Borade said while discussing this issue with media.
Health activist Sharad Shetty told to Hindustan Times that competitive salaries, improved working conditions, and frequent recruitment drives are crucial to attracting specialized medical staff. “Steps such as more recruitment drives, offering competitive salaries, and improving working conditions could help address the shortage. Patients unable to afford treatment at private facilities suffer the most,” Shetty said.
The PMC must prioritize addressing this shortage to ensure sustainable healthcare services for its growing population. Effective solutions are urgently needed to bridge the gap and provide quality healthcare to all residents.
