In a significant move to bolster its public healthcare system, the Punjab government has overhauled the system for deploying specialist doctors for VVIP and VIP medical duties. This decision aims to end a long-standing practice that frequently pulled large numbers of specialists away from government hospitals, disrupting routine patient care.
Ending the Strain on Specialist Resources
The earlier protocol was a major drain on Punjab's already stretched medical workforce. For a single VVIP visit, two teams of five specialist doctors each were often deployed for 12-hour shifts. This meant up to ten specialists—including intensive care physicians, trauma surgeons, anaesthetists, and pathologists—could be diverted from their hospital duties at one time. The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) highlighted that this routinely left outpatient departments (OPDs) and surgical patients unattended in the hospitals these doctors were taken from.
The New, Streamlined Framework
Under the revised framework, dedicated medical teams will be formed to meet protocol requirements without crippling essential services. For the chief minister and deputy chief minister, a streamlined team will now include just one specialist from key categories: either an MD in Anaesthesia or Medicine, either an MS in Surgery or Orthopaedics, and an Emergency Medical Officer, backed by support staff. This team will operate under the supervision of the medical education and research department.
For other VVIPs, VIPs, and public events like melas or protest sites, the responsibility shifts to district administrations. They will deploy rural medical officers and manage stay arrangements for the teams. Clear instructions mandate the team's presence at the venue and require immediate medical assistance and swift transfer to the nearest facility in case of an emergency involving a dignitary.
A Welcome Reform for Public Healthcare
The move has been welcomed by government doctors' representatives. Dr. Akhil Sarin, President of the PCMSA, stated the reform was long overdue and addressed a core concern. He emphasized that reducing the number of specialists on VVIP duty will directly improve the availability of doctors for surgeries, emergency care, and OPD services in government hospitals.
"The policy introduces clarity, reduces strain on stretched institutions, and ensures accountability while maintaining adequate medical cover for dignitaries," Sarin said. He praised the decision as a balanced, system-oriented reform that places routine patient care at the centre of planning while ensuring professional care for VVIPs.
All concerned departments, including Health, Medical Education, Home Affairs, and district administrations, have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the new instructions, marking a decisive shift towards rationalising precious healthcare resources in the state.
