Punjab faces specialist doctor shortage in border areas

The Punjab government is facing a significant shortage of specialist doctors, especially in border areas. Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh acknowledged this issue and stated that the government has implemented temporary solutions while working on permanent appointments. Many specialist doctors, including those in critical fields like gynecology and anesthesia, have left their positions shortly after starting. To address the shortage, the government is recruiting recent post-graduate doctors. Currently, around 250 of them are available, and they are encouraged to work in rural areas for two years before potentially moving to teaching roles in medical colleges. The government is also seeking private doctors for part-time work and has asked local legislators to help identify willing candidates. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has made efforts to fill vacant positions but many remain unfilled. A main reason for this is the lower salaries offered in Punjab compared to other states and the central government. Additionally, poor working conditions deter specialists, as they often face challenging responsibilities like post-mortem examinations. In another development, lawmakers discussed a backlog in motor vehicle registrations and driving licenses. MLA Gurdit Singh highlighted that about 10 lakh applications are pending, creating public inconvenience and revenue losses for the government. Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar promised to clear all pending applications within a month. Lastly, the Punjab government is considering an increase in minimum wages due to rising inflation. Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond mentioned that wage adjustments occur twice a year, with the next one set for March 1, 2025. He confirmed the review of a new base wage rate to ensure it is competitive with neighboring states like Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.