JnK Govt mulls to disempower medical college heads, doctors flay proposal
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Jammu: The faculty forums of different medical institutions have expressed displeasure over Jammu and Kashmir (JnK) government's proposal to transfer responsibilities of principals of government medical colleges to 'junior' administrative officers.
The doctors stated that stripping the college principal of their powers and handing over crucial powers to juniors is not justified and will hamper patient care.
Jammu Kashmir government issued an order a week ago and stated that the duties, responsibilities, and functions of the administrators, personal officers, and administrative officers of government medical colleges and subordinate departments of the health and medical education department shall be under different junior employees. However, the medical fraternity has raised its voice and vehemently opposed the decision.
Medical Faculty Forum (MFF) of GMC Anantnag also expressed resentment against the infringement of powers of Principal and Dean of premier medical colleges and demanded the abolition of any such proposal to maintain the dignity of these institutions.
Criticizing the move to divert the administrative and academic powers of Principals of GMC Srinagar and Jammu to lower-rank non-medico administrative officers deputed in these colleges, the association further stated, " There has been an absolute harmony in the functioning of these institutions between the chair of Principal/Dean and administrators of these colleges for decades and this harmony should not be disturbed by intervention at a higher level."
"As has been the tradition that the highest chair of PMC of the status of ex officio secretary is competent enough to distribute the work to the deputed administrators in view of the understanding of technicalities of these professional institutions whose coordination is mandatory to fulfill the requirements of National Medical Commission and the concerned universities", the association pointed out.
Moreover, the doctor's body also reiterated that there is no such precedence in any part of the country to intervene in the day-to-day routine affairs of the medical colleges.
" Such ill-conceived move shall divert the attention of doctors from the primary goal of combating the pandemic at this juncture", added the statement. MFF also suggested that such moves should only be taken up with thorough discussion, debate, and seeking of opinion from the stakeholders and technical experts only after the present crises of Covid 19 is over.
Standing in solidarity with, MFF, the faculty forum of SKIMS Medical College and Hospital has also opposed the proposal. The Faculty Association MFA of Government Medical and Dental College Srinagar also had an emergency meeting of the Executive body on 22-01-22 to discuss the Government draft proposal regarding the issue. MFA pointed out that this is degrading the chair of the Principals/Deans of the Government Medical Colleges of Srinagar and Jammu. " It is a clear infringement on the rights and the jurisdiction of the executive heads of the medical institutions ensured by the National Medical Commission and the University Grants Commission", stated the association.
The association further reasoned that the proposal is against the best interests of patient care as the nuances of Healthcare and Medical Education can better be understood by an administrative head from a medical background. Moreover, they found the proposal to be against the affairs of undergraduate/postgraduate/Postdoctoral students where the Principal is a signatory between the National Medical Commission, the university of affiliation, and the students. It is likely to adversely affect the recognition of the courses at all levels, stated the doctors' body.
The doctors also found that the draft proposal is demoralizing to the faculty members who are busy fighting unrelenting variants of Covid-19 like Omicron, delta, etc. in addition to their routine responsibilities of healthcare and medical education. Pointing out that the new arrangement was not part of the national scheme applicable to all such institutions of the country, the association demanded the abolition of the draft to ensure the respect and the rights of the executive heads of medical institutions of repute like GMC Srinagar/Jammu and, and so that a cordial working atmosphere among various levels of administration is not disturbed.
Dr Sameer Kaul, noted oncologist along with some other medical professionals also tweeted about the issue and stated, " #healthcare administration and management are expansive areas and must be discharged by trained accredited professionals. In fact, creation of IHS ( Indian Health Care Service ) is most desirable. That Clinicians and Academics will have an edge cannot be denied. "
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