Pune civic body faces 74% shortage of specialist doctors and medical staff

The health department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is suffering from an acute shortage of medical manpower, with a shortfall of nearly 74% of doctors and specialist staff in its health facilities.

Dr. Nina Borade, Head of Health, PMC, said that a meeting was recently held with the Additional Municipal Commissioner to review the services of the health department. “Efforts are on to fill the vacant posts of 434 staff and doctors.”

According to PMC data, the posts of 74% Class I doctors, including specialist doctors like gynaecologists, paediatricians, neurologists, ENT surgeons and cardiologists, among others, are vacant. Of the total of 1,164 approved positions, 434 are vacant.

“The current approved sites are based on the city’s population recorded a decade ago. We will make a proposal to include more posts in the health department keeping in mind the increase in population,” he said.

Health campaigner Sharad Shetty said: “Steps such as more recruitment drives, offering competitive salaries and improving working conditions could help address the shortage. Patients who cannot afford treatment at facilities private locations are the ones that suffer the most”.