Bhopal: Six government medical colleges are functioning without adequate teaching staff in Madhya Pradesh. Next year, seven more government colleges will start in the state.
At present, six colleges are functioning in Sagar, Rewa, Gwalior, Bhopal and Indore. These colleges have 1,384 sanctioned posts of which 355 are vacant. Official figures indicate that 91 posts of professors, 119 posts of associate professors and 145 posts of assistant professors are vacant. These posts relate to paediatrics, pharmacology, dermatology, PSM, orthopaedics, medicine, TB chest, radiotherapy, forensic medicine, gynaecology, dental, biochemistry, anatomy, cardiothoracic surgery and anaesthesia.
About 291 posts of super specialist including professor, associate professor and assistant professor are vacant. The government does not have any super specialist in its colleges. Similarly, nine posts in cancer hospital situated in Jabalpur, Gwalior and Bhopal are vacant. In addition, three posts of associate professor and assistant professor are vacant in Gwalior Mansik Arogyashala (mental hospital).
The state government had planned to establish seven medical colleges in the state whose buildings are nearing completion. However, Medical Council of India is unlikely to grant permission till medical teaching staff is appointed, sources said. Seven medical colleges of 100 seats will be set up in Vidisha, Ratlam, Shivpuri, Datia, Shahdol, Chhindwara and Khandwa. For these colleges, 827 posts have been sanctioned. These colleges will require 180 professors, 250 associate professors and 397 assistant professors.
Vital statistics
Total sanctioned posts: 2512
Total vacant posts: 1485
Teaching staff required in present six medical colleges: 384
Total vacant posts in six medical colleges: 355.
What keeps doctors away?
A major reason is that department of medical education (DME) does not have recruitment policy. Secondly, work atmosphere in the government sector is non friendly. In September 2016, DME placed advertisement to recruit assistant professors. Not many joined the services. Most doctors prefer private medical colleges because of better working conditions.
Recently the health and family welfare department had conducted recruitment process of MBBS doctors. Out of 1900 posts, only 350 turned up to join. A pathologist, wishing anonymity said, “Department had displayed vacant posts in rural areas. But it did not mention about vacant posts in Bhopal because it wanted to oblige other doctors who wanted to work in Bhopal.”
INTERVIEW
Commissioner, medical education Sheo Shekhar Shukla, talked to Free Press on the issue. Excerpts of interview
Q. Why is medical education department facing problems in appointing teachers in government medical colleges?
A. Directorate of medical education (DME) is doing its level best to recruit good teaching faculty in medical colleges. Recently, the seats have been increased in all six colleges from 150 to 250. In Rewa medical college alone, seats have increased to 150 from 100. As number of students has increased, number of posts has also increased.
Q. Is DME facing financial constraints?
A. No, not at all. Money is not a problem. Government is keen to appoint teaching faculty in the medical colleges as soon as possible.
Q. Does DME have a recruitment policy?
A. The principal secretary is taking a regular meeting on the issue. DME is preparing recruitment policy for assistant professors.
Q. Which agency will make recruitments?
A. DME is having talks with MPPSC to recruit assistant professors. The eligibility criteria, rules, regulations and other norms have been prepared. Shortly, recruitments will be made on vacant posts in existing six medical colleges. We’re going to recruit teaching staff for new seven upcoming colleges also.
Q. How much time will recruitment process take?
A. DME is trying to complete process as early as possible. But to complete the process, it will take five months.
Q. Has recruitment proposal been prepared?
A. Yes, the proposal is almost ready, some more changes are being done and probably in next week the proposal will be submitted to the government.
