NMC approval to 750 MBBS seats in 5 New Andhra Medical Colleges

Vijayawada: Bringing good news to the medical aspirants in Andhra Pradesh, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has allowed full seats in the five newly launched medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh.

Even though the Apex Medical Commission noted some deficiencies, including vacant faculty positions, it decided to renew 150 MBBS seats in each of the five new medical colleges, which were launched in 2023-2024.

However, NMC has directed the State Government to ensure that all the faculty positions are filled without any delay, TOI has reported.

The Government found that at least 15-20 per cent of assistant, associate, and professor rank posts were lying vacant, particularly in the new medical colleges. According to the available information, about 25-30 posts of Professor are vacant against the total requirement of 114 Professors in all 14 government medical colleges.

The Apex Medical Commission has warned to reduce the intake capacity in the colleges if the vacancies for the posts, including the paramedical staff, are not filled up on an immediate basis.

Also Read: Andhra Seeks NMC approval for PG Medical Courses at 5 New Medical Colleges

As per the latest media report by the Times of India, to fill up the posts of Professors on ad-hoc basis, the Government has relaxed the promotion rules. In fact, the State has also decided to fill up these posts through direct recruitment on a contract basis.

However, the government doctors' association objected to the proposal, pointing out that such contractual recruitment would hamper their promotion avenues. Explaining the situation to the serving doctors, the Government promised to give top priority to them in filling up the vacancies.

In order to get promoted to the rank of professor, it is mandatory to complete three years' service as an Associate Professor. However, the State has now relaxed it to just one year to ensure that all the eligible in-service doctors get the chance to get elevated to the next rank. The Government will first fill up the posts through internal promotions and thereafter go for direct recruitment on a contractual basis.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that earlier this month, the State Government postponed the contract-based recruitment of associate professors and professors that was scheduled for 17th July. This decision follows an appeal by the Andhra Pradesh Government Doctors Association (APGDA) urging the State government to call off the proposed recruitment of 40 professors and 37 associate professors on a contractual basis.

Meanwhile, the State shockingly did not apply for permission to open any new medical college for the second consecutive year after the NDA Government came into power. Even after getting clearance from the NMC last year, the Government had refused to begin classes in the Government Medical College in Pulivendula. It did not approach the NMC for fresh permission.

Commenting on the matter, social activist Dr. Ala Venkateswarlu told TOI, "It is unfortunate that the govt has not taken any corrective measures to open a govt medical college even a year after NMC granting initial permission. They must have had political differences with YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who represents Pulivendula constituency, but they should realise that the govt college belongs to the students."

He opined that it was not wise for the Government to keep Pulivendula college on hold for another year without filling up the posts. Dr. Venkateswarlu said that the college would have easily secured permission for 150 MBBS seats if the Government had opened the college last year with 50 seats.