Dr A Narendra Kumar appointed as Telangana Director of Medical Education
Hyderabad: In a historic development for Telangana’s healthcare sector, Dr. A. Narendra Kumar has been appointed as the state's first full-time Director of Medical Education (DME) since its formation in 2014. The appointment was officially confirmed through an order issued by Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu on Thursday.
This appointment marks a significant milestone in the State’s healthcare administration, as the post of DME has been managed on a temporary basis by in-charge officials for over a decade. Dr. N. Vani, the most recent in-charge DME, held the position from February 2024 until now. Before her, Dr Ramesh Reddy served as the longest-standing in-charge DME, holding the role for six years before his transfer following the Congress party’s ascent to power in 2023, reports The Hindu.
Dr A. Narendra Kumar brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having previously served as the superintendent of the Government General Hospital in Wanaparthy. As DME, he will oversee medical education and healthcare services across the State, playing a pivotal role in shaping Telangana’s healthcare future.
Additionally, the government promoted Dr. K. Siva Ram Prasad, principal of Government Medical College in Jagtial, to the newly created role of Director of Medical Education (Academics).
The official page of Osmania Medical College stated, "These appointments highlight their exceptional expertise and leadership in advancing medical education and healthcare in Telangana. Their vision and dedication are poised to shape the state's future of medical education and healthcare." The Doctor’s Association of Telangana and the medical community extended warm wishes to both leaders.
Dr Rajeev, a member of the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) told the Daily, "Previously, the absence of a regular appointee to the Director of Medical Education (DME) position resulted in administrative affairs being managed by in-charge DMEs, which led to certain governance challenges. However, the current government has resolved this issue by appointing Dr Narendra Kumar as the regular DME, based on seniority."
Telangana has experienced a substantial transformation in its medical education infrastructure. The number of government medical colleges has risen dramatically from just five in 2014 to 34 today. This rapid expansion underscores the importance of having a dedicated DME to ensure the quality of medical education and the effective delivery of healthcare services.
