Ranchi, July 13: Jharkhand is grappling with a severe shortage of AYUSH doctors, with nearly 91 per cent of sanctioned posts lying vacant, significantly affecting healthcare services in government AYUSH centres and integrated hospitals across the state.
According to official figures, the state has 662 sanctioned posts for AYUSH medical officers, but around 621 posts remain vacant, leaving only a small fraction of the workforce available to provide treatment under the AYUSH system, which includes Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
Medical professionals said the shortage has left several AYUSH dispensaries and integrated government hospitals without doctors, limiting access to traditional healthcare services, particularly in rural and remote areas.
The situation has been attributed to the absence of regular recruitment over the past 15 years.
Although the state government has forwarded recruitment proposals to the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), appointments are yet to be made, resulting in a widening gap between sanctioned strength and available personnel.
The report also highlights that many of the doctors currently in service are performing administrative responsibilities, further reducing the number of medical officers available for patient care.
The Homeopathy wing has also been affected by staff shortages, with several sanctioned posts remaining vacant.
Medical associations have expressed concern over the prolonged delay in recruitment and have urged the government to expedite the appointment process to restore healthcare services.
They have also called for the implementation of the Jharkhand High Court’s direction to increase the retirement age of AYUSH doctors on par with allopathic doctors, arguing that retaining experienced professionals would help address the shortage.
Healthcare experts warned that unless vacancies are filled promptly and long-pending reforms are implemented, the state’s AYUSH healthcare system will continue to face operational challenges, affecting thousands of patients who rely on traditional systems of medicine.
