Ludhiana, Sept. 23 -- The ayurvedic health facilities in the district are suffering from a severe shortage of staff. While Tuesday is being observed as World Ayurveda Day to promote the ancient Indian medicine system as a holistic system for wellness and preventive healthcare, the ground reality is grim.

The district has 42 sanctioned posts for ayurvedic medical officers (AMOs), of which 12 are vacant at present. There are 23 AMO posts under the National Health Mission (NHM), and seven of those are also vacant.

There are 41 posts of ayurvedic pharmacists, of which 15 are vacant. Under the NHM, there are 23 posts of pharmacists, and 12 of those are also vacant.

There is one hospital in the district, which has five posts of staff nurses,...