After NMC flags deficiencies, Telangana sets up Monitoring Panels to inspect GMCs
Hyderabad: To address the infrastructure and staffing shortages in government medical colleges, the Telangana State Health Department has established Medical College Monitoring Committees (MCMCs).
After conducting field visits to 34 GMCs across Telangana, these committees will assess the infrastructure, faculty, hospital operations, and student facilities, and thereafter submit a detailed report along with photographic evidence by June 30.
This comes in response to the National Medical Commission's show-cause notice to 26 out of 34 government medical colleges in the State. After receiving NMC's notice on June 13, Health Secretary Christina Z Chongthu issued an order on June 19 announcing the formation of the MCMCs.
Setting up these committees, the Health Department has tasked them to ensure that all the government medical colleges in Telangana meet the benchmarks set by the NMC- the Apex Medical Education Regulatory Body in the country- by June 2028.
As per the latest media report by The New Indian Express, altogether 10 MCMCs have been constituted and their responsibilities include inspecting and assessing medical colleges and submitting review reports. District Collectors will also play a key role here as they will oversee recruitment and monitor contractual and outsourced staff via the District Level Selection Committee (DLSC).
They will also evaluate service providers such as IHFS and diet services, patient footfall, including Aarogyasri services, and the use of Facility Management Services (FMS) and electronic Health Management Information System (eHMIS).
There are altogether 34 government medical colleges in Telangana. Out of these, 26 medical colleges have received an NMC Show Cause. The only exceptions are Gandhi Medical College, Osmania Medical College, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Adilabad, Government Medical College Nizamabad, Government Medical College Maheshwaram, Government Medical College Yadadri, and Government Medical College Vikarabad.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that NMC, while issuing the show-cause, had highlighted deficiencies in infrastructure, clinical materials, and teaching personnel.
Following this, the Director of Medical Education (DME), Dr A Narendra Kumar, along with Telangana Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu, appeared before the NMC in New Delhi and briefed the Commission about the challenges faced by the State after the simultaneous establishment of a large number of government medical colleges.
They also assured the Commission of Telangana's commitment to strengthening medical education infrastructure in the State and meet the NMC benchmark.
Telangana has now set up Medical College Monitoring Committees (MCMCs) to monitor the government medical colleges. These committees have the responsibility of ensuring that the government medical colleges in Telangana have adequate infrastructure, as per NMC norms.
Duties of Medical College Monitoring Committees (MCMCs):
Deccan Chronicle has reported that these committees will conduct field visits at 34 GMCs and assess if the medical colleges have adequate infrastructure, enough faculty, etc. These committees will submit the report in this regard by June 30, and these reports will form the basis for a comprehensive plan of action aimed to ensure that all GMCs and their affiliated teaching hospitals meet NMC benchmarks by June 2028.
Each of the 34 GMCs will be assessed based on six parameters- infrastructure, human resources, academic and curriculum readiness, student welfare and amenities, operational and financial aspects, and digital systems and IT infrastructure.
For infrastructure review, these committees will monitor adequacy and functionality of academic buildings, lecture halls, laboratories, libraries, and hostels. In the hospitals, the infrastructure will be assessed for bed strength, space requirements, medical equipment (such as C-Arm, CT, MRI), maintenance agreements (CAMS/AMC), emergency services, and utilities including power back-up, fire safety, water supply, sanitation, and biomedical waste management. Further, the committees will also evaluate Department-specific clinical caseloads for in-patient departments, operation theatres, intensive care units, and diagnostic services.
To assess if the medical colleges have enough human resources, the committees will monitor the availability of teaching and non-teaching staff against sanctioned posts, recruitment needs through the Medical and Health Services Recruitment Board (MHSRB), Telangana Public Service Commission (TGPSC), and contract-based appointments via district-level committees will be documented.
Regarding academic and curriculum readiness, the committees will examine the implementation of the NMC curriculum, use of simulation lab facilities, scheduling of clinical rotations, academic scheduling, and availability of library resources.
To assess the student welfare parameters, the committees will monitor hostel conditions, cleanliness, safety, mess facilities etc., along with the presence and effectiveness of student support mechanisms such as anti-ragging committees, counseling services, and grievance redressal systems.
Further, the committees will also review digital systems, and this will cover the functioning of eHMIS, Facial Recognition Systems, biometric attendance, CCTV surveillance, and internet connectivity for academic and clinical use.
Other areas under scrutiny will include the supply of essential drugs, provision of patient diets, pest control, security, utility payments, rent, and transport costs for student shuttle services. Apart from these, the committees will also review adherence to antimicrobial infection control protocols. Coordination for cadaver availability, and utilisation of Hospital Development Society (HDS) funds will also be reviewed.
State Health Education Minister Assures Deficiencies pointed out by NMC have been Addressed:
Meanwhile, State Health Education Minister Hasan Mushrif said that the top health officials have responded to the inadequacies pointed out by NMC in the GMCs.
Commenting on the NMC show-cause to 26 GMCs, Mushrif told the Times of India, "The secretary of the department of medical education and research was personally asked to attend a hearing by NMC. We have tried to address the inadequacies, and some are in the pipeline."
NMC conducts surprise visits every year at medical colleges to ensure the standards of medical education are being maintained. TOI has reported that most of the medical colleges in Maharashtra were found to have inadequate number of faculty and consequently, directions were issued to recruit staff. Commenting on this, a Dean of a Govt Medical College from the region told TOI, "We apprised the directorate of medical education and research of the needs of the college, and accordingly, a recruitment advertisement has been published."
Also Read: Waking up to NMC show cause, Telangana Medical Colleges to Recruit 1651 Faculty
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