Healthcare Crisis Looms in Raipur as Doctors Resign

Raipur is grappling with a healthcare crisis as nearly 100 doctors have resigned from key hospitals, leading to a severe shortage of specialists. This mass exodus has left patients struggling to find adequate care, forcing many to turn to expensive private hospitals. The health department faces challenges in retaining medical professionals, prompting calls for policy changes to improve conditions. With hundreds of doctor positions unfilled, the situation raises alarms about the future of healthcare in Chhattisgarh. Immediate action is needed to address these issues and ensure better patient care.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 5, 2026, 16:04 IST

Severe Shortage of Medical Professionals in Raipur

Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, is facing a significant crisis in its public healthcare system. Over the past two years, nearly 100 doctors have resigned from the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital (Ambedkar Hospital) and the D.K. S Super Specialty Hospital (DKS). This mass exodus has exacerbated the difficulties for patients due to a severe shortage of specialist doctors.

Sources indicate that most of the departing doctors were contractual specialists who, despite years of service, were not regularized. Factors such as lack of promotions, discussions about restrictions on private practice, inadequate facilities, and better opportunities in other states have led many doctors to leave their government positions. Numerous doctors are opting for private hospitals or relocating to other states where they can find improved salaries and working conditions.

As a result, several departments at Ambedkar Hospital and DKS have been adversely affected. The shortage of specialists in super specialty areas like neurology, neurosurgery, and cardiology is causing significant issues for critically ill patients. Hundreds of sanctioned doctor positions remain unfilled across the state, impacting services from routine outpatient departments to emergency care.

Officials from the health department acknowledge that preventing the migration of doctors has become a daunting task. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urged the government to reconsider its policies to allow some leeway for government doctors regarding private practice and to expedite the filling of vacant positions.

Patients have expressed that the lack of specialists in government hospitals forces them to seek care in private facilities, where costs are considerably higher. This situation has raised concerns not only in Raipur but throughout Chhattisgarh's healthcare infrastructure. There is a pressing demand for the government to expedite the recruitment of doctors and address the issues faced by the existing staff, or else patient difficulties will only escalate.