Assam: AMCH faces staff crunch as 121 doctor posts lie vacant, nurse shortage hits patient care

The Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh is facing a significant shortage of doctors, nurses and support staff, with 121 of its 434 sanctioned doctor posts lying vacant and only 449 nurses available for nearly 2,000 beds. 

Of the 434 sanctioned posts for doctors, only 313 are currently filled, leaving nearly 28 per cent of the positions vacant. The shortage is reported across 23 key departments, with several units functioning with limited manpower. AMCH is also facing a shortage of junior doctors, adding to the workload on the existing medical staff.

The staffing gap has reportedly widened following the transfer of doctors and other employees to newly established medical colleges in neighbouring districts, including Tinsukia and Lakhimpur. The posts vacated following these transfers have not yet been filled, according to the information available.

The nursing workforce has remained particularly stretched as the hospital's bed capacity has more than doubled over the decades. When AMCH was upgraded from a medical school to a medical college in 1947, the hospital had around 900 beds and 449 nurses. In 2026, its bed capacity has increased to nearly 2,000, while the number of nurses remains at 449.

The shortage has increased the workload on nurses, with one nurse reportedly attending to between 150 and 200 patients during night shifts. The situation has raised concerns over the amount of time available for individual patient care and other nursing responsibilities.

The shortage is not limited to medical personnel. AMCH is also reportedly facing vacancies among other categories of employees, including Grade IV staff. The combined shortage has placed additional pressure on the existing workforce as the daily patient footfall continues to remain high.

AMCH is a major healthcare institution for Upper Assam and receives patients from districts across the region. It also caters to patients from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, further adding to the pressure on its infrastructure and manpower.

The growing patient load has also put pressure on diagnostic facilities. MRI and CT scan machines at the hospital are reportedly prone to frequent breakdowns. When such equipment is unavailable, patients, particularly those from economically weaker sections, may have to seek diagnostic services at private laboratories or hospitals, where tests can cost thousands of rupees.

The staffing and equipment shortages have emerged despite the expansion of medical education and healthcare infrastructure across Assam through the establishment of medical colleges in several districts. For patients dependent on AMCH for affordable treatment, however, the existing gaps in manpower and diagnostic facilities continue to pose challenges.