Assam medical system struggles with over 4,000 empty staff spots

Guwahati: Assam medical colleges face a staffing crisis. State Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal told the Assembly on July 10 that 4,232 sanctioned posts remain empty across 14 government hospitals. This represents a vacancy rate of more than 28 per cent. The gap includes 297 teaching roles like professors and assistant professors.

These facilities carry a heavy workload. They treat roughly 15,205 patients every single day. Gauhati Medical College and Hospital handles the most traffic with 3,246 daily visits, while Dibrugarh and Silchar follow close behind. Jorhat, Barpeta, and Dhubri also see over 1,000 patients arrive each day.

The state currently admits 1,825 medical students annually. Gauhati and Dibrugarh lead the way by taking in 250 students each. Singhal confirmed the state is expanding its reach to handle the high demand. He noted, "Construction of 10 additional medical colleges and hospitals is currently underway, with the facilities at Bongaigaon, Biswanath and Charaideo nearing completion."