Severe workforce shortages continue to strain healthcare and family planning services across the country, with nearly one-third of more than two lakh posts across three major health agencies remaining vacant.

Out of the 2,34,024 posts, at least 73,045, or 31.21 percent are unfilled in the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), and the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM), according to the latest official data.

These agencies, which operate under the health ministry are responsible for running public hospitals, vaccinating children and women, distributing contraceptives, and providing maternal and child healthcare, among other services.

Vacancies are particularly acute at field-level offices, which are mainly responsible for providing primary healthcare, the foundation of the health system.

Officials and workers said the workforce shortage is heavily affecting day-to-day healthcare delivery. Public hospitals, particularly in rural areas, see long queues of patients and lack staff capable of providing specialised care, forcing low-income patients to seek treatment at expensive private facilities.