Uneven Healthcare Access Plagues Rural Punjab

Punjab's healthcare system has seen improvements in infrastructure and staffing since 2022. However, significant disparities in access to medical services continue to affect rural areas more acutely. Data from the Economic Survey of Punjab 2025-26 indicates gradual progress in expanding facilities and increasing hospital beds.

Despite statewide improvements, stark differences exist between districts. For example, Malerkotla has a much higher population per medical institution and hospital bed compared to Amritsar and Faridkot respectively. Similarly, Ludhiana faces a significantly higher ratio of individuals per hospital bed.

Healthcare human resources have also improved overall, with more doctors and nurses available per capita. However, this distribution is uneven. Tarn Taran, for instance, has a severe shortage of doctors relative to its population, contrasting sharply with Pathankot and Faridkot.

Maternal healthcare in Punjab shows strong performance, with high rates of facility-based deliveries and skilled birth attendance, exceeding national averages. Yet, states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu demonstrate that further improvements are possible. Post-natal check-ups are common, but breastfeeding indicators are comparatively weaker.

While Punjab's healthcare sector has advanced, addressing the persistent regional inequalities, especially in underserved rural districts, remains a critical challenge for ensuring equitable health outcomes across the state.