Government hospitals in Kerala are facing shortage of specialist doctors

Government Medical College Hospital PMSSY Block, Kozhikode. The professional staff of the Ministry of Health has seen only a slight increase in sanctioned posts in several categories since 2018. Photo File | Photo credit: K. Ragesh

Sini Jaleel (48), a senior gynecologist at the Perinthalmanna District Government Hospital in Malappuram, was brutally attacked on April 2 this year by a group of women relatives of a patient who died after giving birth due to postpartum hemorrhage nine days earlier. Dr. Jaleel was left with a broken nose and other facial injuries.

At least five women who sought treatment at the Government Hospital for Women and Children in Alappuzha were reportedly referred to the Government Medical College Hospital in the district earlier this month. The referrals reportedly included patients who did not have serious medical conditions, sparking heated arguments between the patients’ nurses and hospital management.

Although the two incidents are unrelated, they point to a deeper problem facing Kerala’s public health system: a severe shortage of specialist doctors under the Directorate of Health Services. According to RTI data from the health department, government hospitals are facing a shortage of at least 280 specialist doctors.

Sources said more than 50 government hospitals in the state that have dispensaries lack sufficient manpower to carry out the procedures. It says that each maternity ward should have seven specialists in gynaecology, paediatrics and anesthesia to provide round-the-clock services. There are only four gynecologists in the Alappuzha hospital, though it requires seven. Instead of at least two anesthesiologists, there is only one on duty. If the doctor goes on vacation, the cesarean operation will also be postponed.

RTI data available with the Kerala Government Medical Specialist Association (KGDSA) reveals that in the gynecology section, five of the 11 approved senior consultant posts are vacant in government hospitals across the state. 23 out of 131 approved consultant posts and 24 out of 230 approved junior consultant posts are also vacant.

In general medicine, 25 out of 87 approved consultant posts are vacant. Twenty-two of the 66 permitted posts in general surgery, 20 of 108 posts in pediatrics and 14 out of 39 posts in ENT in this category are vacant. The RTI data also says that between 2018 and 2025, there has not been much increase in approved posts in most categories, except for junior consultant posts in some specialties. In gynecology approved junior consultant posts rose from 225 to 230 and in general medicine rose from 1,583 to general surgery posts from 1,583 to 98 and in anesthesia from 119 to 148.

R. Sunjith Ravi, President, KGDSA, says the government needs to fill existing vacancies and expand special cadre posts as soon as possible. Steps should also be taken to expedite promotions through the Ministry’s Promotion Committee. Litigation on the matter should be resolved quickly so that suitable candidates can be considered for promotion, he adds.

Published – 15 July 2026 20:40 IST