NMC slaps show-cause notice on 26 Telangana GMCs over Deficiencies in Infrastructure, Faculty

Hyderabad: For deficiencies in academic and administrative infrastructure, the National Medical Commission (NMC) recently issued show-cause notices to 26 government medical colleges in Telangana.

In the show-cause notice, NMC highlighted deficiencies in infrastructure, clinical material, and teaching personnel. The Apex Medical Commission took note of these deficiencies during its routine annual assessment of medical institutes across the country.

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.

However, the Director of Medical Education (DME), Telangana, has assured that the show-cause notice is a routine exercise by the Commission to ensure the presence of proper infrastructure at the medical colleges across the State.

Also Read: NMC Issues Show-Cause Notices to Pune GMCs over Infrastructure Gaps, Staff Shortages

DME A. Narendra Kumar told The Hindu, "The NMC reassesses all medical colleges every year. This year, government colleges in almost all States, including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, have received notices. It is part of a re-evaluation exercise focused on strengthening medical education by reviewing infrastructure, manpower, clinical data such as OP and IP numbers, number of surgeries, deliveries, and cadavers used for teaching."

"The process is not aimed at reducing MBBS seats or de-recognising institutions, but at identifying areas for improvement. “This is to enhance our structures and ensure better quality of medical education," he further added.

As per The Hindu, as a part of the compliance process, the Health Secretary of Telangana, Christina Z. Chongthu and DME will appear before the NMC in person. Meanwhile, the principals of these 26 medical colleges, which received the show-cause, have been asked to participate in the process via video conference.

Commenting on the matter, a senior government doctor told the Daily, on the condition of anonymity, that the situation is attributed to both the past and present political leadership. The doctor added, "Between 2016 and 2024, the State announced 29 new government medical colleges. That is an unprecedented pace. Of course there will be gaps, whether in faculty strength, clinical material, or infrastructure. These are not problems that can be resolved overnight."

"The intake of number of students is not equivalent to the number of beds available in the government hospital attached to the medical college. How will students learn clinical skills in such conditions? And how will patients benefit from these institutions?" asked the doctor.