Despite a directive from the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court and repeated follow-ups by the administration of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), the State Government is yet to act on a proposal seeking an increase in sanctioned posts to match the hospital’s growing patient load. In May 2024, the High Court directed the authorities concerned to prepare a proposal for increasing the sanctioned bed strength of IGGMCH from 870 beds to a higher figure in view of the institution’s expanding healthcare services. The Dean promptly submitted the proposal. However, nearly two years later, no action has been taken. The situation on the ground presents a stark contrast to official records.

 

While the sanctioned bed strength remains just 598, the hospital routinely accommodates more than 800 patients due to the rising influx of people seeking treatment. The ongoing construction of a 11-storey Medicine Complex is expected to further increase the number of beds and expand healthcare facilities. Unfortunately, infrastructure development doesn’t match with corresponding growth in manpower. The shortage is particularly severe in the Nursing Department, which forms the backbone of hospital care. At present, IGGMCH has only 428 nurses. For a hospital with 870 beds, it requires an additional 619 nurses as per prescribed norms. This translates into a shortfall of nearly 60 per cent. According to established healthcare standards, there should be one nurse for every six beds in General ward and one nurse for each patient in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

 

The consequences of this shortage are alarming. Sources indicate that, only three nurses are currently responsible for managing the entire ICU, a situation that raises serious concern about patient care, staff fatigue and overall healthcare quality. Nursing shortage not only affects patient monitoring and emergency response, but also increases the risk of burnout among existing staff members. Following the High Court’s directive, IGGMCH repeatedly pursued the matter with the concerned departments. The issue also drew the attention of Revenue Minister & Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. Taking into account the institution’s 200 MBBS seats, postgraduate courses and future expansion plans, it was pointed out that, the college should ideally have staffing provisions corresponding to nearly 1,360 beds.

 

Acting on this assessment, Minister Bawankule directed the institution to submit a revised proposal. The college complied and forwarded a fresh proposal seeking enhancement of sanctioned posts. Yet, despite the urgency of the issue and the growing strain on healthcare services, the proposal is yet to get Government approval. The delay raises a critical question: What is the purpose of expanding hospital infrastructure if adequate doctors, nurses and support staff are not sanctioned simultaneously? Buildings and beds alone cannot provide healthcare. Without sufficient manpower, particularly, nursing staff, even the best infrastructure risks becoming ineffective. As patient numbers continue to rise and new facilities near completion, the Government’s prolonged inaction threatens to undermine the very objective of strengthening public healthcare. The pending proposal requires immediate attention before the manpower crisis begins to compromise patient safety on a larger scale.