Healing on hold: Rural Ayurvedic hospitals gasp as docs shifted out

A recent decision by the Himachal Pradesh government to shift 23 Ayurvedic Medical Officers (AMOs) from rural Ayurvedic hospitals has left dozens of remote healthcare centres across the state without doctors, severely impacting healthcare access in far-flung areas.

Over two months have passed since the transfer, yet no replacements have been posted, forcing several hospitals—especially in remote parts of Kangra district such as Kothi Kohar in Chhota Bhangal, Utrala and Terhal—to function without a qualified Ayurvedic doctor. Local residents are now left at the mercy of pharmacists or compelled to travel long distances, even for basic ailments.

One resident from Kothi Kohar, located at an altitude of 8,500 feet, shared that the hospital previously served six panchayats, but now people are forced to walk 15 km for minor treatments. A delegation from the area also met their MLA, Kishori Lal, who reportedly assured that a new AMO would be posted soon. However, similar concerns are being echoed across other rural hospitals in the state.

Investigations by The Tribune revealed that the transferred AMOs have been posted at Rajiv Gandhi Post Graduate Ayurvedic Hospital in Paprola. They have been re-designated as lecturers to address long-standing faculty shortages in the teaching institution. While this may have addressed an academic gap, it has come at the cost of grassroots healthcare services.

Oddly, these AMOs continue to draw their salaries from their previous rural postings, despite being physically present and working at Paprola—a direct violation of the state Finance Department’s norms. No financial provisions have been made so far to pay their salaries from the Ayurvedic College’s budget.

A senior official from the Ayush Department admitted to The Tribune that the move was executed without cabinet approval. He justified it by stating it was neither a deputation nor a cadre change and said the government will decide whether the AMOs will stay in the college or return to patient care.

For now, critical rural health infrastructure remains crippled, as patients across Himachal’s remote regions wait for the return of medical officers who once served as their primary lifeline.

Himachal Tribune