Home / Health / Cancer Institute Sees Mass Doctor Exodus
Cancer Institute Sees Mass Doctor Exodus
27 Jul
Summary
- Psychiatry department may become non-functional due to recent resignation.
- About 28 specialist doctors left the institute in two years.
- Institute has 42 specialists against a sanctioned strength of 121.
The Kalyan Singh Super Speciality Cancer Institute (KSSSCI) is grappling with a continuous wave of doctor resignations, raising serious concerns about its ability to provide specialized cancer care. An assistant professor from the psychiatry department recently submitted a resignation, effective one month from submission, adding to a series of departures that have plagued the institute.
Sources indicate that a significant salary gap compared to other government and premier medical institutions is the primary driver behind these exits, making it difficult to retain faculty. The recent resignation means the psychiatry department may cease to function, impacting cancer patients requiring crucial psychiatric counselling and mental health support.
This latest departure follows similar exits in June from neurosurgery and nuclear medicine. Reports consistently cite pay discrepancies and better opportunities elsewhere as reasons for these departures. Over the past two years, approximately 28 specialist doctors have resigned, alongside numerous nursing and non-teaching staff.
The institute is severely understaffed, with only 42 specialist doctors against a sanctioned strength of 121. This critical shortage leads to significant delays in consultations and treatments for hundreds of patients who visit the cancer centre daily.
