Dalhousie Civil Hospital Faces Doctor Shortage After Key Transfers

The Civil Hospital in Dalhousie is facing a severe shortage of doctors after the transfer of two key medical officers. With only 6 to 7 doctors remaining, concerns are rising about the impact on healthcare services for both residents and tourists. Community leaders are urging the government to fill the vacant positions promptly to ensure adequate healthcare delivery. The situation is particularly alarming given the hospital's role in serving a broader community, including nearby villages. The chairman of the LBS Amir Chand Trust warns that emergency services could also be adversely affected due to the reduced medical staff.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 29, 2026, 14:42 IST

Critical Doctor Shortage at Dalhousie Civil Hospital

Subhash Mahajan

Dalhousie

The Civil Hospital in Dalhousie is currently grappling with a significant shortage of medical personnel following the transfer of two essential doctors, Dr. Atri and Dr. Mrs. Atri. Previously, out of the 11 to 12 authorized positions for both specialist and general practitioners, only 8 to 9 were occupied. With the recent transfers, the hospital is now left with merely 6 to 7 doctors, raising alarms about the potential repercussions on healthcare services.

Chairman of the LBS Amir Chand Trust, Ashok Mahajan, along with Satpal Sharma, president of the Himotkarsh social organization, expressed their concerns, stating that immediate replacements should have been arranged following the doctors' transfers. They noted that the lack of new appointments has critically hampered the hospital's operations.

They highlighted that the Civil Hospital caters not only to the local population of Dalhousie but also to tourists and residents from surrounding villages. “Operating with nearly half of its authorized staff will severely compromise healthcare delivery,” they warned.

Both community leaders urged the Himachal Pradesh government to expedite the filling of all 11 to 12 sanctioned positions or, at the very least, to appoint two doctors to replace those who have been transferred.

It is important to mention that the LBS Amir Chand Trust was instrumental in funding the construction of the hospital's emergency block. Chairman Ashok Mahajan cautioned that a reduced number of doctors could lead to significant declines in emergency services as well.