The Punjab homeopathy department is facing a critical staff shortage, with nearly half of the sanctioned positions for doctors and dispensers lying vacant across the state.
Data accessed by various media houses reveals that out of 89 sanctioned posts for homeopathic medical officers (HMOs), 44 remain unfilled. The situation is even more dire among dispensers (pharmacists), where 69 of the 110 sanctioned posts are currently vacant.
A senior official, who requested anonymity, revealed that no recruitment has taken place in the department since 2018, resulting in mounting pressure on the existing staff. Dr. Harinder Pal Singh, director of the department of homeopathy, confirmed the severity of the issue and said that repeated requests have been made to higher authorities to address the staff shortage. However, the department has yet to receive any response or action on the matter.
Dr. Singh highlighted that the problem is worsening each year as doctors retire and no new appointments are made to replace them. The staffing crisis is so acute that one district homeopathy officer (DHO), Dr. Gurdarshan Kaur, stationed in Ludhiana, is currently overseeing five districts due to the lack of personnel.
Of the 23 sanctioned posts for DHOs in the state, 17 are vacant, leaving large areas without dedicated leadership in the homeopathy healthcare system.
Despite the manpower shortage, patient footfall in outpatient departments remains strong. Dr. Singh emphasised that homeopathy is recognised as the second-largest medical system by the World Health Organization (WHO), and with such growing patient demand, an adequate number of doctors is crucial to maintain healthcare standards.
The crisis is not limited to medical officers and pharmacists. There is also a significant lack of Class IV employees, making daily operations even more challenging. A homeopathy doctor based in Ludhiana, who wished to remain anonymous, said he is forced to juggle multiple responsibilities due to the absence of support staff.
“I have to make patient cards, dispense medicines, consult patients, and handle clerical work—there’s simply no one else to do it,” he said. The doctor also noted a noticeable rise in patient numbers following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has only added to the burden. While the patient count has grown, staffing levels have remained stagnant or worsened.
In Ludhiana alone, 20 posts for clerks exist, but six are currently vacant, and all six sanctioned posts for computer operators remain unfilled, adding further strain on the already overburdened staff.
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