Punjab homeopathy department grapples with staff crunch, 50% of docs posts vacant
According to data, there are 89 posts of homeopathic medical officers (HMOs) in the state of which 44 are vacant. Additionally, of the 110 posts of dispensers (pharmacists), 69 are vacant. The Punjab homeopathy department is suffering from a severe staff crunch with around 50% of doctors and dispensers posts lying vacant. According to data, accessed by HT, there are 89 posts of homeopathic medical officers (HMOs) in the state of which 44 are vacant. Additionally, of the 110 posts of dispensers (pharmacists), 69 are vacant.
A high-ranking official, pleading anonymity, said there has been no recruitment in the department since 2018.
“Yes, the department is facing an acute shortage of staff. We have written to the higher officials several times to recruit new doctors and pharmacists to fill the gap but haven’t got any response,” said Dr Harinder Pal Singh, director, department of homeopathy. The problem exacerbates every year as doctors continue to retire with the state having no plans in place to recruit new doctors, he said.
A single district homeopathy officer (DHO) Dr Gurdarshan Kaur in Ludhiana is looking after 5 districts due to the staff crunch and the situation is the same in other places in Punjab. Of the 23 posts of DHOs, 17 are lying vacant.
