Ludhiana, Sept. 10 -- Urban community health centres (UCHCs) set up to provide accessible secondary healthcare and reduce the burden on government hospitals are struggling with severe staff shortages, non-functional emergency wards, and basic infrastructural lapses across the city.

A ground-level review reveals that the UCHC located within the civil surgeon's office premises inaugurated in December 2024 to strengthen local medical care is operating with just four staff members, including an MD Medicine doctor, a general physician, a pharmacist, and a radiographer.

With a daily footfall of under 50 patients, the facility lacks adequate specialists, forcing staff to refer critical or specialised cases to the main Civil Hospital.

Stretche...