In a significant move to tackle a severe shortage of specialist doctors, the Punjab health department has launched a major drive to rope in private and retired medical experts. With nearly half of the state's 2,098 sanctioned specialist posts lying vacant, the government is now turning to the private sector for immediate relief.
A Dire Shortage and a New Strategy
The scale of the crisis is stark. Out of 2,098 approved specialist positions, close to 1,000 remain unfilled despite repeated recruitment campaigns in recent years. The public health system has consistently struggled to attract and retain young specialists, leading to gaps in critical care at civil and sub-divisional hospitals across Punjab.
To address this, the state cabinet approved an initiative about a month ago to empanel 300 private specialists within government facilities. The unique model allows these doctors to work in public hospitals for a fixed fee per patient, without disturbing the existing government cadre structure.
Civil Surgeons Lead the Recruitment Charge
With the initial response to the scheme being less than encouraging, the health department has now issued a direct order. Civil surgeons in all districts have been instructed to personally identify and approach eligible private and retired specialists in their areas, urging them to join the program.
The department has mandated that advertisements for the scheme be widely circulated to ensure maximum participation. The goal is to rapidly strengthen secondary healthcare services and improve public access to specialist consultations and procedures.
Scheme Details: Pay, Duties, and Conditions
The empanelment is open across 12 crucial specialties: general medicine, paediatrics, psychiatry, dermatology, chest and TB, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, ENT, anaesthesiology, and radiology.
Empanelled specialists will be paid on a strict per-patient basis, with fees clearly outlined:
- Rs 100 per patient for OPD and IPD services.
- Rs 3,500 for major surgeries or caesarean sections.
- Rs 1,000 for minor surgeries and 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 offers a financial safety net, guaranteeing payment for a minimum patient load—ranging from 50 to 150 OPD patients and 2 to 20 IPD patients per day—regardless of the actual footfall. Work beyond these limits will result in additional monthly payments.
Doctors must commit to at least three hours of service daily, from Monday to Saturday, during fixed daytime hours at the designated government hospital. They are permitted to continue their private practice elsewhere but are strictly prohibited from referring patients from the government facility to their private clinics. Compliance will be monitored by senior medical officers and civil surgeons.
The empanelment is non-permanent, hospital-specific, and does not include any allowances or benefits beyond the prescribed fees. It can be terminated by the civil surgeon without notice if required in the public interest.
Challenges and Parallel Recruitment Efforts
Health department officials acknowledge that the fees offered are significantly lower than private sector charges, which may lead to a lukewarm response. Many private specialists earn substantially more per consultation, posing a financial disincentive.
This is not the first such attempt; a past initiative with similar fee structures failed to attract significant participation. Alongside this empanelment drive, the department has also initiated the regular recruitment of 160 specialist doctors, with walk-in interviews scheduled to be held shortly.
The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) has urged the government to expedite these regular walk-in interviews. Dr. Akhil Sarin, President of PCMSA, stated, "We expect the govt to wrap up the regular specialist hiring process within the next couple of months." The association warns that delays in permanent recruitment continue to strain public health services where specialist care is critical.
The success of this public-private partnership model now hinges on the proactive efforts of district civil surgeons and the willingness of private practitioners to contribute to the public healthcare system.
