Chandigarh: At a time when govt hospitals across Punjab are grappling with an acute shortage of specialist doctors, the state govt’s plan to empanel retired and private specialists drew only a limited response so far. Against 300 specialist positions identified across district hospitals and sub-divisional hospitals, only 104 doctors joined.The empanelment drive was launched to plug critical gaps in civil and sub-divisional hospitals. Under the scheme, private and retired specialists can provide clinical services in govt facilities for a fixed fee per patient, without any change to the existing cadre structure. Punjab is currently facing a significant shortfall in specialist manpower. Of the 2,098 sanctioned specialist posts in the state, nearly 1,000 remain vacant despite repeated recruitment efforts in recent years. The health dept struggled to attract and retain younger specialists in public institutions, prompting the govt to explore alternative arrangements to ensure continuity of specialist care. At the district hospital level, 132 specialist posts were identified for empanelment. However, only 50 doctors joined so far. Obstetrics and Gynaecology had the highest requirement, with 35 posts identified, but only 14 specialists joined. In Anaesthesiology, 26 positions were identified, with just 3 doctors joining. In General Medicine, 11 doctors joined against 20 identified posts, while Paediatrics witnessed 5 doctors opting for the scheme against 14 posts. In general surgery, 4 doctors joined against 8 identified posts. Psychiatry saw 2 joinings against 4 posts, dermatology 3 against 4, and chest and TB 2 against 6. Ophthalmology recorded 4 joinings against 6 posts. Radiology had only 1 specialist join against 8 posts. At the sub-divisional hospital level, 168 posts were identified, but only 54 specialists came on board. Psychiatry had the highest requirement, with 27 posts identified and 14 joinings. Radiology recorded 3 doctors offering their services against 31 posts. Paediatrics saw 6 joinings against 20 posts, and General Surgery 5 against 16. General Medicine recorded 8 joinings against 13 posts. Obstetrics and Gynaecology saw 6 joinings against 14 posts, Orthopaedics 7 against 10, and Chest and TB 2 against 11. ENT recorded 3 joinings against 15 posts, while Anaesthesiology saw no joinings against 11 identified posts. Wide variations in districtsThe response varied widely across districts. At the district hospital level, Muktsar recorded 4 joinings against 12 identified posts, Nawanshahar 4 against 11, Mansa 5 against 12, and Malerkotla 6 against 12. Some districts saw very little or no response. Firozepur recorded no joinings against 6 identified posts. Jalandhar and Kapurthala saw no joinings against 1 and 4 posts, respectively. At the sub-divisional hospital level, Ropar recorded 3 joinings against 19 identified posts, Sangrur 6 against 18, Muktsar 8 against 14, and Mansa 4 against 12. Reasons for tepid responseUnder the scheme, empanelled specialists are paid Rs 100 per patient for OPD and IPD services, Rs 3,500 for major surgeries or caesarean sections, Rs 1,000 for minor surgeries, Rs 500 for minor procedures, Rs 400 for ultrasound, Rs 1,500 per emergency visit, and Rs 2,000 as anaesthesia charges for major surgeries. The scheme assures payment for a minimum patient load ranging from 50 to 150 OPD patients per day and 2 to 20 IPD patients per day, irrespective of actual footfall. Additional payments are calculated monthly for patients treated beyond these limits. Specialists are required to provide services for at least 3 hours daily at designated health facilities from Monday to Saturday, while being permitted to continue private practice elsewhere. Health dept officials cited comparatively lower remuneration as a key reason for the tepid response, noting that many private specialists earn substantially higher amounts per consultation or procedure in the private sector. Terming the model a success, health minister Dr Balbir Singh said the empanelment drive has helped the govt address the shortage of specialists to some extent. He said the health dept has received several applications and that interested doctors will be engaged wherever required.
