Kerala Medical Colleges Face Recognition Crisis Amid Staffing Shortages

Strategic Insights -

The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) has accused the government of temporarily transferring doctors from existing medical colleges to newly recognized institutions in Kasaragod and Wayanad, thereby circumventing the need for recruitment of permanent faculty members. The KGMCTA claims that these colleges, which were granted 50 MBBS seats each, still lack permanent teaching positions, posing a risk to the approval of postgraduate courses and patient care. With a shortage of experienced faculty members, the association warns that the existing medical colleges may struggle to maintain the quality of patient care.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) has alleged that the recognition of MBBS seats in Kasaragod and Wayanad medical colleges was achieved by temporarily transferring doctors from existing medical colleges.
  • These new colleges still lack permanent teaching positions, despite being granted 50 MBBS seats each.
  • The KGMCTA claims that the shortage of teachers in older colleges may harm approval for postgraduate courses and patient care.
  • The number of medical teaching posts has not increased with the growing patient numbers, resulting in vacancies in departments such as orthopaedics, gynaecology, and dermatology.
  • The KGMCTA secretary, Dr. Aravind C. S., stated that many vacancies in these departments have remained unfilled for over ten years.
  • Temporary transfers of doctors from existing medical colleges to new ones are misleading, the KGMCTA claims, as it does not address the underlying issue of staffing shortages.

Statistics:

  • 50 MBBS seats each were granted to Kasaragod and Wayanad medical colleges.
  • 19 teachers were temporarily transferred to Wayanad Medical College.
  • 38 teachers were temporarily transferred to Kasaragod Medical College.
  • 50 teaching positions and eight senior resident posts are needed at Kasaragod Medical College.
  • 17 teaching and 10 senior resident posts are required at Wayanad Medical College, according to the National Medical Council (NMC).

Sources:

  • KGMCTA state president Dr. Rosenara Beegum T.
  • KGMCTA secretary Dr. Aravind C. S.
  • Times News Network - "Kerala Govt Medical College Teachers Association alleges misdoing in recognition of new medical colleges"