Now Reading: 23,000+ posts vacant across 28 Central health institutions
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23,000+ posts vacant across 28 Central health institutions
Over 23,000 sanctioned posts remain unfilled across 28 hospitals and medical institutions under the Union Health Ministry, according to data submitted by Minister of State Anupriya Patel in the Rajya Sabha on…
The Story in Brief
Over 23,000 sanctioned posts remain unfilled across 28 hospitals and medical institutions under the Union Health Ministry, according to data submitted by Minister of State Anupriya Patel in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. AIIMS New Delhi alone accounts for 2,921 vacancies, including 440 faculty posts among 1,313 sanctioned. The 18 AIIMS established under PMSSY have 1,645 vacant faculty posts, about 34% of sanctioned strength.
Other major institutions with high vacancies include JIPMER Puducherry (1,223), PGIMER Chandigarh (1,936), Safdarjung Hospital (1,179), and RML Hospital (469). Some institutions also saw a decline in sanctioned posts: RML Hospital's fell from 4,093 in 2021-22 to 3,152 in 2025-26. CPI(M) MP V. Sivadasan, who raised the question, urged time-bound filling of vacancies based on bed strength and patient load.
The Indian Opinion
The government often points to new AIIMS being built as a sign of progress, but the 34% faculty vacancy in those same institutions tells a quieter story. Opposition MPs are quick to blame the Centre, yet chronic shortages predate this government and affect state-run hospitals too. Both sides avoid the hard part: attracting specialists to smaller cities and retaining them. The real test will be whether the coming Union Budget earmarks a specific recruitment drive for these 23,000 posts, or leaves them as a statistic for the next Parliament session.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
