Census duty for hospital staff raises concern over patient care in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The decision to deploy government hospital staff in Bengaluru for the 2027 census has sparked serious concerns over disruption in healthcare services, with medical associations warning of adverse impact on patient care.

At a time when government hospitals in the city are already grappling with shortage of staff and specialists, the move to assign paramedical and emergency personnel to census work has drawn criticism from the Karnataka State Health and Medical Education Department Employees’ Association.

According to officials, a wide range of healthcare workers—including lab technicians, X-ray technologists, physiotherapists, clinical psychologists and ophthalmic staff—have been identified for census duties. In one instance, more than 20 staff members from KC General Hospital in Malleswaram have reportedly been assigned to the survey work.

Hospital authorities fear that such deployment will directly affect routine medical services. “Government hospitals handle nearly 800 to 1,000 outpatients every day. There is already heavy rush for lab tests and diagnostic services. If existing staff are diverted for census work, it will become extremely difficult to manage patient care,” a senior hospital official said.

The concern is particularly acute in diagnostic departments, where delays in tests could impact timely treatment. Patients relying on free or subsidised services in government hospitals are likely to be the worst affected.

The employees’ association has formally urged the authorities to reconsider the decision. “The health department is an essential service provider. Deploying staff for non-medical duties like census will negatively impact healthcare delivery. We request the government to exempt hospital staff from census work in the interest of public health,” the association stated in its representation.

Medical superintendents of several hospitals have also written to higher authorities, highlighting the challenges posed by the decision. They have stressed that healthcare services cannot afford disruptions, especially in a city like Bengaluru where public hospitals cater to a large population.

With the census being a large-scale exercise, authorities are yet to respond to the concerns raised. However, healthcare workers continue to press for immediate intervention, warning that patient services could suffer if the decision is not revised.