Ahmedabad Ayurvedic Health Services Hit by Pharmacist Shortage
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Ahmedabad’s Ayurvedic healthcare services are facing a severe pharmacist shortage, with only five of 13 sanctioned posts filled at Maniben Ayurvedic Hospital and 22 of around 25 city dispensaries operating without a pharmacist.
Only 5 Pharmacists Against 13 Sanctioned Posts
Maniben Ayurvedic Hospital in Asarwa handles around 400 to 450 OPD patients every day and has a 100-bed IPD facility. Despite the patient load, the pharmacy department is functioning with far fewer pharmacists than its sanctioned strength.
Of the 13 sanctioned pharmacist posts, only five are currently filled. Two additional pharmacists have been engaged through outsourcing.
The effective strength is further reduced as two of the five pharmacists appointed against sanctioned posts have been assigned other duties or posted elsewhere. This leaves a limited team to manage medicine distribution, stock maintenance and related administrative work.
Patients Face Long Waits for Medicines
The shortage is being felt directly by patients visiting the hospital. Long queues have been reported at the pharmacy, with delays in the distribution of medicines to both OPD patients and those admitted to the hospital.
Patients travelling from distant areas, particularly elderly people, face added inconvenience while waiting to collect their medicines after consultation.
22 Ayurveda Dispensaries Without Pharmacists
The shortage extends beyond Maniben Ayurvedic Hospital. Of around 25 Ayurveda dispensaries operated by the AYUSH Department in Ahmedabad, pharmacists are reportedly available at only three.
Doctors at the remaining 22 dispensaries have to dispense medicines themselves while also examining, diagnosing and treating patients.
The additional responsibility increases the workload on doctors and reduces the time they can devote to consultations and patient care.
Demand for Immediate Recruitment
There is growing demand for the vacant pharmacist posts to be filled at Maniben Ayurvedic Hospital and across the city’s Ayurveda dispensaries.
There is also a demand to return pharmacists currently assigned to other duties to their designated pharmacy departments so that medicine distribution and stock-related work can be handled by dedicated staff.
Patients and members of the public have urged the AYUSH Department and senior officials to take immediate steps to address the shortage and reduce delays in the delivery of Ayurvedic medicines.
