Assam Government Addresses Shortage of Super-Speciality Doctors
Challenges in Assam's Healthcare Sector
A file image of Health Minister Ashok Singhal. (Photo:X)
Guwahati, Aug 18: The Assam administration has pointed out that the lack of super-speciality doctors in the state is primarily due to specialists' hesitance to join government healthcare facilities, as stated by Health Minister Ashok Singhal on Tuesday.
During a press briefing following the 'Swasthya Chintan Shivir 2026', a session focused on the challenges within Assam's public healthcare, medical education, and research sectors, Singhal mentioned that while the government has allocated funds to recruit specialists, attracting doctors to government roles remains a challenge.
“We frequently receive complaints regarding the absence of cardiology and neurology specialists in various districts. The issue isn't financial; rather, we struggle to locate super-speciality doctors willing to work in government settings,” he explained.
Singhal noted that healthcare professionals in the sector are not burdened with extra duties that other government employees might face, yet there continues to be a shortage of specialists.
“All available doctors have been assigned to our medical sector, and none are tasked with additional responsibilities, such as census duties. However, there are still numerous vacant specialist positions,” he added.
Despite the challenges, the minister expressed optimism about the future, citing the growth of medical education in the state.
“Over the last decade, eight new medical colleges have been established, and Bongaigaon Medical College is on the way. We anticipate positive changes soon,” he remarked.
In June, during a visit to Mangaldai Civil Hospital, Singhal had previously acknowledged the shortage of specialist doctors in Assam's public healthcare, linking it to the limited postgraduate (PG) seats available in the state's medical colleges.
He also mentioned that attempts to recruit specialist doctors from outside Assam had not been successful, although he clarified that there is no shortage of general MBBS doctors.
On Tuesday, Singhal emphasized the significant demand for public healthcare in Assam, noting that government medical facilities cater to approximately 4.5 crore outpatients. This statistic underscores the public's confidence in the state's healthcare system.
These remarks were made during the 'Swasthya Chintan Shivir 2026' held at Khanapara, which convened various stakeholders to discuss the challenges facing the state's public healthcare and medical education sectors.
“The aim of this brainstorming session is straightforward: to transform discussions into actionable decisions and ensure effective, patient-focused healthcare delivery for the people of Assam,” Singhal shared in a social media update.