09 May, 2026 – Ludhiana : Punjab’s fragile homeopathic healthcare system is reeling under a new government directive that has imposed steep quotas on doctors. Each practitioner must now handle 18,000 patients and conduct 10 medical camps annually, a target many say is unworkable, especially in single-doctor dispensaries lacking even basic support staff.
Across the state, 135 doctors are expected to manage 24.3 lakh consultations and 1,330 camps in 2026. Far from boosting efficiency, the move has triggered resentment, with doctors warning that patient care is being reduced to a numbers game. In some districts, one doctor alone bears the entire burden, raising doubts about whether the state values genuine healing or mere statistics.
The scale of the challenge is stark. Ludhiana’s 26 doctors have been assigned 4.68 lakh consultations and 260 camps. Barnala and Ferozepur have just one doctor each, yet both face the same quota of 18,000 patients and 10 camps. Moga has two doctors, Ropar and Muktsar Sahib three each, Sangrur, Faridkot and Kapurthala four apiece, while Bathinda and Tarn Taran have five each.
The Homeopathic Medical Officers Association has lodged its protest with the AYUSH Commissioner. “Our OPD lasts six hours. A patient’s history takes 15 minutes. In 360 minutes, it is not possible to see 90–100 patients,” said Dr Balwinder Kumar, association president. With many dispensaries lacking dispensers, doctors must also prepare medicines, explain dosages, and maintain records. Digital entries alone take 10–25 minutes per case”.
Medical camps add further strain. One doctor must organise logistics, arrange medicines, conduct sittings and maintain records. The directive also ties performance to the annual Detailed Project Report, creating psychological pressure. “In homeopathy, a patient’s behaviour is part of treatment. Targets cannot dictate healing,” doctors argue.
Defending the move, Dr Harinder Pal Singh, Director of the Homeopathy Department, said, “It is always good to give targets so employees can work towards higher goals. A few doctors have objected. Let’s see what the Secretary, Health, decides, but everyone should at least try.”
The Tribune