Patiala, Oct. 24 -- Grappling with a persistent shortage of medical specialists in government hospitals and a lack of regular recruitment since 2022, the Punjab health department is turning to its retired workforce by inviting applications for 78 consultant posts reserved exclusively for retired government specialists.

However, this is not the first time the state government has turned to retired doctors to address the shortage. Earlier in July 2025, the health department invited applications to recruit 100 retired medical specialists through walk-in interviews, with the initial engagement period set at one year, extendable annually subject to performance and approval.

The latest recruitment drive, notified on October 19 by the departme...