The Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh is facing a shortage of doctors, nurses and support staff, putting additional pressure on the hospital’s existing workforce and raising concerns over patient care.
Of the 434 sanctioned posts for doctors at the hospital, 313 are currently filled, leaving 121 posts vacant. This means nearly 28 per cent of the sanctioned doctor positions are unfilled. The shortage is spread across 23 key departments, with several units operating with limited manpower.
The hospital is also facing a shortage of junior doctors, further increasing the workload on the available medical staff. According to information available, the staffing gap has widened after doctors and other employees were transferred to newly established medical colleges in neighbouring districts such as Tinsukia and Lakhimpur. The posts left vacant after these transfers have not yet been filled.
The shortage of nurses has emerged as another major concern. AMCH currently has 449 nurses for a hospital with nearly 2,000 beds. The number is particularly striking when compared with the hospital’s earlier capacity.
When AMCH was upgraded from a medical school to a medical college in 1947, the hospital had around 900 beds and 449 nurses. Nearly eight decades later, its bed capacity has more than doubled, but the number of nurses remains at 449.
The shortage has placed a heavy burden on the available nursing staff. During night shifts, one nurse is reportedly required to attend to between 150 and 200 patients. Such a workload can leave nurses with limited time for individual patient care, monitoring and other essential responsibilities.
The manpower shortage is not restricted to doctors and nurses. Vacancies have also been reported among other categories of hospital employees, including Grade IV staff. With daily patient footfall continuing to remain high, the combined shortage has added to the pressure on the hospital’s existing workforce.
AMCH is one of the major healthcare institutions serving Upper Assam and treats patients from several districts across the region. Its services also extend to patients from neighbouring states, including Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. The large catchment area has contributed to sustained pressure on the hospital’s infrastructure and available manpower.
Diagnostic services are also facing challenges. MRI and CT scan machines at the hospital are reportedly prone to frequent breakdowns. When the equipment is not functional, patients may have to turn to private laboratories or hospitals for diagnostic tests.
The situation can be particularly difficult for patients from economically weaker sections, as MRI, CT scans and other diagnostic procedures at private facilities can cost thousands of rupees.
