AIIMS, PGI Chandigarh Faculty threaten Protest over Delay in Rotatory Headship Policy implementation

New Delhi: Faculty associations of AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh have voiced strong concern over the continued delay in implementing the rotatory headship policy, which was officially approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2023 for rollout from June 2024. In separate general body meetings held on April 16 and 17, both associations unanimously reiterated the need for rotatory headship and the collegium system to ensure fair, transparent, and democratic governance in their institutions.

Despite multiple representations and rounds of dialogue with ministry officials, no progress has been made, and the health minister has not met with the associations to address their concerns.

In a joint statement, the faculty bodies have issued a 14-day ultimatum starting April 17, warning of phased protests if the policy is not implemented. The protest plan includes a Black Badge demonstration in the first month, followed by a Relay Hunger protest, with further escalation if needed.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the faculty associations of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) have been demanding rotatory headship for more than a decade now. Countless committees have been formed by the Centre in this regard in the past and almost every panel has recommended its implementation in principle. Of the many committees so far on this issue, one was formed under the chairmanship of Professor V K Bahl, former dean of the AIIMS, to give suggestions on how to implement it. The committee has submitted its report after due consideration and consultation, the statement said. The implementation and modalities of this administrative reform have been discussed deeply and for long and now, it is only left to be implemented.

Expressing their anguish over the delay in the implementation of the 'Rotation of Headship' policy at AIIMS, the Faculty Association of the Institute had written to the Director of the Institute Prof M Srinivas and threatened to go on a protest if the rotatory headship' is not implemented in the institute immediately.

The FAIMS general body had said that implementing this policy is essential for transparency and accountability in the governance of the institute. 

Now, as per the recent PTI report, the faculty associations of AIIMS Delhi and PGI Chandigarh have once again expressed concern over the ''continued delay'' in implementing the long-standing policy of 'rotatory headship' in these premier institutions. In this regard, the Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIMS), Delhi, held a general body meeting on April 16, with PGI’s Faculty Association following it up with its own on April 17.

"Both the bodies unanimously voiced that the rotatory headship system, along with the collegium system, is essential for promoting a fair, transparent, and democratic governance structure within their institutions," the two bodies said in a joint statement released on Friday.

In 2023, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, formally communicated that the rotatory headship policy would be implemented in AIIMS Delhi and PGI Chandigarh from June 2024.

Also Read:Delay in Implementation of Rotatory Headship: AIIMS, PGIMER Faculty Associations warn of protest

Despite this, no tangible steps have been taken toward its enforcement, even after the lapse of almost a year and repeated representations by faculty bodies, according to the statement.

Furthermore, multiple rounds of dialogue with Union health ministry officials have taken place. However, the Union health minister has not granted an audience to either association, with the matter being repeatedly deferred without justification, the statement read.

In light of this prolonged inaction, both associations have resolved to issue a 14-day deadline from April 17 for the policy to be implemented. If no progress is made, a phased protest will begin from May 1.

In the first month, doctors would hold a Black Badge protest, followed by a Relay Hunger protest in the second month. As mentioned in the statement, escalated protest actions will be taken up if the demands remain unanswered.

"We urge the Ministry to honor its own commitment and avoid a situation where faculty are forced into protest to achieve a policy that has already been promised," they said in the statement.

Also Read:PGI Chandigarh to Take Decision soon on Implementation of Rotatory Headship