Kerala Medical Teachers oppose redeployment of faculty posts to new medical college
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) has opposed the state government’s proposal to shift teaching posts from existing government medical colleges to the newly established K Karunakaran Memorial Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram.
While supporting the expansion of medical education and the creation of new medical colleges, the association said staffing new institutions by reducing faculty strength at existing colleges could worsen the shortage of teachers and doctors, affecting both medical education and patient care.
According to KGMCTA, medical colleges in Konni, Idukki, Wayanad and Kasaragod are already functioning with fewer faculty members than required. The association said only 44 teaching posts were created last year, with 22 posts each for Wayanad and Kasaragod.
It further pointed out that the previous government had announced plans to create around 200 teaching posts for the four medical colleges.
The association warned that shifting sanctioned posts from colleges such as Konni to the new institution, without creating additional positions, could further strain the existing colleges.
The association also highlighted that several doctors are waiting for government appointments after being included in Public Service Commission (PSC) rank lists. It said creating new posts could provide employment opportunities for these doctors, instead of shifting existing positions.
According to the association, faculty members in government medical colleges already handle multiple responsibilities, including MBBS and postgraduate teaching, examinations, patient care, research and administrative work. They may also be involved in teaching students from nursing, dental and paramedical programmes.
KGMCTA said further reduction in faculty strength could affect outpatient and inpatient services, emergency care and surgeries. It could also reduce students’ opportunities for bedside teaching, clinical exposure, practical training and direct academic guidance.
The association has urged the government to create fresh posts for the new medical college instead of transferring positions from existing institutions.
According to a report by TOI, faculty members in govt medical colleges are already carrying a heavy workload involving undergraduate and postgraduate education in MBBS, BDS, nursing and paramedical courses, examinations, patient care, research and administrative responsibilities. Cutting sanctioned posts would directly affect both patient care and teaching, the association said.
It has also called for adequate recruitment of professors, associate professors, assistant professors, resident doctors, technical staff and other support personnel to ensure that both new and existing medical colleges can function effectively.
