Hyderabad: A severe staffing crunch continues to affect Telangana’s public health system, with nearly one in three sanctioned govt doctor posts lying vacant — a gap that is straining services across hospitals.Data tabled in the state legislative council reveals that only 9,008 doctors are in position against 14,633 sanctioned posts, leaving 5,625 vacancies — a shortfall of about 38%. The shortage is most pronounced in tertiary care institutions, particularly teaching hospitals and medical colleges under the directorate of medical education. Of the 7,745 sanctioned posts — accounting for more than half of the state’s total — only 4,959 doctors are currently working, leaving 2,786 positions vacant. While recruitment is underway for 607 posts, this addresses just 22% of the vacancies, leaving 2,179 posts without any active hiring process. The govt attributed the shortage to the rapid expansion of medical colleges and a lack of qualified candidates for senior teaching roles, in line with National Medical Commission norms. To bridge the gap, 1,200 teaching posts have been filled on a contract basis, while recruitment for assistant professors is expected to conclude soon, it added. Acute shortage Hospitals under the Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad, now functioning as the directorate of secondary health, are facing the most acute shortage. Of 4,347 sanctioned posts, only 1,968 doctors are in place, leaving 2,379 vacancies — with facilities operating at just 45% of the required strength. Recruitment for around 1,600 specialist posts is currently underway and is expected to reduce vacancies significantly. However, even after the ongoing exercise is completed, around 721 posts are likely to remain unfilled, indicating that district hospitals will continue to face staff shortages. Health experts have urged the govt to accelerate hiring, stressing the need for regular appointments instead of continued reliance on contractual staff.They pointed out that at the current pace of hiring — about 250 to 300 doctors per year — it could take up to 12 years to fill all vacant posts. Concerns were also raised about gaps in certain categories, such as 315 vacancies under the director of public health, where no recruitment is currently underway. 7k more posts soonA senior health dept official, however, said, “Around 10,000 posts have been filled in the past two years and recruitment for over 7,000 more posts is in the final stages.” Despite this, experts warn that unless recruitment gathers pace, the shortage will continue to impact healthcare delivery across the state.
