Parliament Question: Shortage of Specialist and General Physicians

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3382 TO BE ANSWERED ON07.08.2026 SHORTAGE OFSPECIALIST AND GENERALPHYSICIANS †3382.SHRIVIJAYBAGHEL: Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) whether it is a fact that patients are unable to receive timely treatment due to an acute shortage of specialists and general physicians at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and Research Centre; (b) whether the hospital lacks multiple basic medical facilities, with patients facing a waiting period of nearly two months for sonography tests, the CT scan machine remaining non-functional for a long time and there being an inadequate supply of other essential medical equipment; (c) whether several essential pathological tests, including those for Vitamin D and Vitamin B12, are unavailable at the hospital, along with an irregular supply of various essential medicines; (d) if so, the detailsthereofand the reasons therefor; and (e) the details of the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to expeditiously fill the vacant posts of doctors, provide essential medical equipment, make the CT scan machine operational and ensure the regular availability of all essential diagnostic facilities andmedicinesat the hospital? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (e): Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital & Research Centre (JLNHRC), Bhilai is under the administrative control of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Ministry of Steel. As per the information furnished by SAIL, Ministry of Steel, all patients reporting to Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital & Research Centre (JLNHRC), Bhilai are provided timely treatment according toclinical need andprescribed protocols. The hospital have basic medical facilities and one CT scan machine is operational. Essential medical equipments are maintainedthrough periodic procurement and replacement at the hospital. Pathological tests, including Vitamin D and Vitamin B12, are currently available in-house at JLNHRC, Bhilai. Adequate stocksofessentialmedicinesarealsomaintainedandregularlyreplenishedatthehospital. As per the information furnished by SAIL, Ministry of Steel, Specialist doctors are engaged through regular and contractual modes, as required JLNHRC, Bhilai. The availability of diagnostic facilities, medical equipment and essential medicines is regularly monitoredandmaintainedatthe hospital. *****