GMCH-32 expedites recruitment of junior and senior residents, demonstrators on 294 posts

Officials said the appointments would be completed within a month, allowing affected departments to return to full capacity.

The crisis began earlier this month when junior residents were withdrawn from the super-specialty departments, disrupting surgeries and routine care in neurosurgery, cardiothoracic vascular surgery (CTVS), and plastic surgery.

Doctors said resident doctors play a crucial role in every stage of hospital care, from assisting in complex surgeries to managing post-operative care, and their absence has directly impacted patient safety and recovery.

In the plastic surgery department, where about 15 to 20 surgeries are conducted every week, the schedule has been severely disrupted. Procedures ranging from burn management to reconstructive surgeries have either been postponed or delayed.

Similarly, in the CTVS department, major surgeries have come to a standstill as consultants say it is not possible to operate without resident doctors to assist and monitor post-operative patients.

The neurosurgery department has been facing the worst strain, functioning with just two consultants, one intern, and one postgraduate resident on rotation from general surgery.

On average, the department handles four OPDs and four to five operating theatres per week, catering to around 70 to 100 patients daily.

Consultants said maintaining 24×7 emergency and trauma services under such conditions is becoming nearly impossible.

Doctors from all three departments have repeatedly written to the hospital administration, warning that the continued shortage of residents could jeopardise both emergency and elective services.

Taking note of the situation, Thami said the recruitment process has been fast-tracked.

Hospital officials said that with new recruitment, not only would the super-specialty departments function as per schedule, but it would also ease the burden on OPD and emergency services.

Doctors said adequate manpower would significantly improve patient outcomes and ensure safer post-operative care.

For now, the hospital is operating with limited staff and prioritising emergency procedures, but the administration remains hopeful that by the end of November, neurosurgery, CTVS, and plastic surgery units will once again function as smoothly as before, they said.