MGM Hospital Jamshedpur fills only 8 of 54 junior resident posts, doctor shortage persists

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Jamshedpur: Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College Hospital’s efforts to address its shortage of doctors have received a major setback after its latest recruitment drive for Junior Resident (non-academic) doctors attracted a poor response. Despite advertising 54 vacancies, the hospital was able to appoint only eight doctors, leaving 46 posts vacant and raising fresh concerns over the availability of medical professionals at one of Jharkhand’s busiest government hospitals.

The recruitment process, conducted under the Health Department’s residency scheme, witnessed only 12 applications against the advertised vacancies. Interviews were held on Wednesday, during which four candidates were found ineligible, resulting in the selection of only eight Junior Resident doctors. The appointments have been made on a one-year contractual basis.

Hospital authorities said preference was given to candidates who had completed their MBBS from MGM Medical College, in line with the objective of encouraging graduates from the institution to serve at the hospital.

According to the appointment list, four of the selected Junior Residents have been posted to the Burn Unit, while the remaining four have been assigned to the Medicine Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Both departments are among the busiest in the hospital and have been functioning under significant pressure due to inadequate manpower.

The limited response to the recruitment drive has highlighted the continuing challenge of attracting doctors to government medical institutions. The fact that only 12 candidates applied for 54 vacancies has raised questions about the growing reluctance among young doctors to join government hospitals, despite the availability of vacancies.

MGM Medical College Hospital has been facing a shortage of doctors and faculty members for several years. The deficiency has affected patient care, increased workloads on existing medical staff and placed additional pressure on critical departments. The hospital has also faced concerns over manpower during inspections conducted by the National Medical Commission (NMC), where adequate faculty strength and staffing remain key parameters for maintaining academic and healthcare standards.

As the largest government referral hospital in the Kolhan region, MGM serves patients not only from East Singhbhum but also from West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan and several adjoining districts of Jharkhand. Hundreds of patients visit the hospital every day for specialised treatment, emergency services and critical care, making the availability of sufficient medical personnel essential for ensuring timely and quality healthcare.

The shortage of doctors has particularly impacted departments dealing with emergency and critical care, where patient inflow remains consistently high. Existing doctors are often required to manage heavy workloads, affecting both clinical services and academic responsibilities at the medical college.

Hospital officials expressed hope that the remaining vacancies would be filled through another round of recruitment in the near future. They believe a fresh recruitment drive, coupled with measures to attract more candidates, will help strengthen the hospital’s healthcare workforce and improve medical services for patients across the Kolhan region.