Ludhiana, Nov. 7 -- Crumbling wall plaster, a neglected courtyard and rooms with aging furniture and equipment paint a stark picture of decay at the Government Ayurvedic Dispensary in Model Gram, near Kochar Market. The facility, which has been catering to more than 40 patients every day, is struggling with a shortage of staff and essential medicines.

The posts of two staff nurse, a female masseur, an attendant and a clerk have been lying vacant since 2022, officials said. The dispensary has two doctors, one specialising in Panchakarma and the other one in surgery. Several ayurvedic medicines, particularly those containing gold and silver ingredients, are not available here.

"The building needs proper maintenance and better facilities. ...