The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), a vital healthcare provider for government employees, pensioners, and their families across India, is grappling with a severe staffing crisis. The Union Health Ministry disclosed in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that thousands of sanctioned posts remain unfilled, raising serious concerns about the quality and accessibility of services within this massive network.
Scale of the Staffing Shortfall
The government's written reply presented a stark picture. In the allopathic dispensaries, the situation is particularly dire. Against a sanctioned strength of 6,630 posts, only 4,590 are currently filled. This leaves a staggering 2,040 positions vacant in the allopathic wing alone.
The parallel AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) facilities are not immune to this problem. Here, 107 out of 425 sanctioned posts remain unfilled, indicating systemic issues across both mainstream and traditional medicine divisions of the CGHS.
Vacancies Across All Employee Categories
The data reveals that the shortage is not confined to one level but permeates the entire staffing structure. The most critical gaps are found in the following groups:
- Group A (Doctors & Senior Officers): A significant 402 allopathy doctor posts and 33 AYUSH posts are lying vacant, directly impacting primary consultation services.
- Group B (Non-Gazetted): This category has 276 vacant allopathic posts.
- Group C (Paramedical & Support Staff): This largest segment, which includes nurses, pharmacists, and administrative personnel, faces the most acute shortage. Here, 1,362 allopathic posts and 74 AYUSH posts are unfilled, crippling daily operations and patient support.
Recruitment Process and Pending Questions
The government outlined the existing recruitment channels. Doctors are recruited through the Union Public Service Commission's (UPSC) Combined Medical Services Examination, based on vacancies reported by CGHS. For Group B and C positions, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) handles the hiring.
However, the ministry's reply did not specify any concrete timeline for filling these pending vacancies or mention if any special measures or accelerated hiring drives are being planned to address the urgent crisis. This lack of a clear resolution roadmap is a key point of concern for stakeholders.
Real-World Impact on Beneficiaries
This disclosure is not merely a statistical exercise. It explains the daily struggles witnessed at CGHS dispensaries, especially in major metropolitan cities. Beneficiaries routinely face:
- Long, frustrating queues for consultations and medicines.
- Overburdened existing staff leading to longer wait times.
- Uneven and potentially compromised access to essential outpatient care and prescribed drugs.
The persistent vacancies, particularly in frontline roles like doctors and paramedics, are intensifying pressure on the system. For the lakhs of pensioners and serving employees who depend on CGHS for affordable healthcare, these staffing gaps directly translate into reduced service quality and accessibility. Without prompt intervention to bridge this human resource chasm, the situation is likely to worsen, undermining the very purpose of the welfare scheme.
