Ludhiana, Sept. 22 -- The civil hospital of Ludhiana, the biggest urban centre in the state, is suffering from a severe shortage of doctors as over 40 per cent of the sanctioned posts of doctors are vacant at present.

There are a total of 64 sanctioned posts, and 28 of these are vacant. 25 of these are for specialists.

The most important of the vacant posts are three posts for physicians. The last regular physician here was promoted to the post of family welfare officer earlier this year, and the hospital has been without any regular physician since then.

The hospital has roped in two physicians on a deputation basis from the sub-divisional hospital (SDH) in Khanna and the community health centre (CHC) in Macchiwara. These doctors atte...