Dr Ajay Devidasrao Sambre takes over as new CPS Mumbai president

Mumbai: Amidst the National Medical Commission's decision to derecognize the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS) courses and the discontinuation of these courses in Maharashtra, Dr. Ajay Devidasrao Sambre, an ophthalmologist from Sambhajinagar, has been appointed as the new president of CPS.

Dr. Sambre has taken charge as CPS President from Dr. Girish Maindarkar, who served as the CPS chief for a decade. Dr. Maindarkar finally resigned earlier this week, adds HT.

The CPS Controversy: 

Established in 1912, CPS Mumbai is an autonomous body that imparts Postgraduate medical education and offers fellowship, diploma, and certificate courses for medical professionals. For the Diploma courses, the tenure is two years; in case of Fellowship, the tenure is three years. After obtaining the qualification granted by CPS Mumbai, the practitioners become allowed to register themselves as specialists in the concerned specialty.

CPS courses have been facing major controversies for a long time. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that referring to significant gaps in the standards or institutes offering CPS courses, the medical education department of Maharashtra previously wrote to the Union Health Ministry asking for its opinion on whether counselling can be conducted for around 1,100 CPS seats.

Writing to the Centre, the department referred to the inspection of the Maharashtra Medical Council conducted last year and how during the inspection, MMC had found "severe deficiencies" in several institutes. In fact, the Central Government has also set up an eight-member committee to look into the matter.

The controversy continued further and recently the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) recommended to the Union Health Ministry to withdraw the popular DPB- Diploma in Pathology and Bacteriology, DCH - Diploma in Child Health and DGO- Diploma Gynecology and Obstetrics courses run by CPS from the next academic year.

After NMC, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) also offered rejection to the CPS courses by refusing to bring them under the aegis of the NBE. At this outset, States including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Karnataka were reportedly considering to the intake for the CPS courses or discontinuing them.

Meanwhile, last year, the Maharashtra Government de-recognised the courses offered by CPS and asked the medical institutes and hospitals not to admit students for any of the 26 diplomas or fellowships offered by CPS, Mumbai. However, the State had clarified that the candidates who had already been admitted to these PG courses before notification would not be affected by this.

Also Read: Fact Check: NMC Letter Recognising CPS Courses for Doctors Undergoing Training is FAKE

However, the CPS courses are still being taught in States like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat. As per the latest media report by Hindustan Times, Dr. Maindarkar, who served as the CPS President for a decade, resigned earlier this week and Dr. Sambre has been appointed as the new CPS president. 

Commenting on the matter, Dr. Maindarkar told HT, "As per the new University Grants Commission (UGC) rule, one can’t hold the vice-chancellor’s (VC) post for more than 10 years. The CPS president’s post is equivalent to the VC’s post. Since our 10 courses are recognised by the national medical commission, we did not want to invite further inquiry or trouble from the authorities."

Meanwhile, Dr. Sambre informed that he would prioritised getting the Maharashtra Government's recognition for its courses. He added, "My priority will be to get the courses restarted in Maharashtra and take CPS to rural areas to improve healthcare and healthcare infrastructure."

The Daily adds that the CPS decision led to a power tussle between two senior cabinet ministers in Maharashtra- Girish Mahajan and Hasan Mushrif. The courses run by CPS were recognised when Mahajan was holding the post of State Education Minister. However, Mushrif is currently holding the post of State Medical Education Minister.

Earlier CPS had moved to the Bombay High Court challenging the derecognition of its courses. Sources informed HT that the submitting an affidavit before the Court, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) contended that while the central government's permission is necessary under Section 10A of the MMC Act to start a medical college or new courses in approved medical colleges, none of the institutes affiliated with CPS took the required permission from the Central Government. 

Justifying the action against CPS, the council claimed that none of the institutes affiliated with it were teaching hospitals and therefore, they could not be allowed to run the courses.

Also Read: CPS Courses to Restart? Maharashtra Medical Education Dept Rethinking its Decision of Derecognition