Punjab's health sector faced significant challenges in 2025, including a shortage of specialist doctors and funding issues, exacerbated by floods. The Health and Welfare Department struggled with a 47% vacancy rate for specialists, partly due to lower salaries compared to central government positions. Despite recruiting over 3,600 health professionals in three years, efforts to attract private specialists and retired officers saw limited success. The government also faced judicial scrutiny over the cancellation of psychologist appointments.