Health Ministry releases Guidelines for Appointing HODs in Central Government Hospitals, details

New Delhi: Through a recent notice, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed that a seven-member Standing Selection Committee would take decision to appoint Heads of Departments in three Central Government Hospitals including Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. RML Hospital and LHMC Hospital.

The selection committee will consist of 3 Deans/Principals and 3 Additional MSs, one each from these three hospitals and one representative of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the committee will shortlist the candidates as per Model SOP.

In this regard, the Ministry has released Guidelines for Appointment of Heads of Department in the three Central Government Hospitals. Referring to this, the Ministry mentioned in the recent notice dated 10.01.2023, "The undersigned is directed to refer to the above mentioned subject and to say that the matter regarding Appointment of Heads of Department in Central Government Hospitals has been under consideration of this Ministry for some time."

"It has now been decided that appointments of HoDs in the three central Government Hospitals namely Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. RML Hospital and LHMC Hospital will be made as per the guidelines & SOP annexed herewith (Annexure I) and with immediate effect," further read the notice issued by Under Secretary to Government of India, Vijay Kumar.

Proposed Mode of selection of HoD in CG Institutes/ Hospitals:

1. Notice on selection of HoD would be issued by the MS/ Director for a Department. This notice must be widely publicized by posting it on the websites and adequate number of notice boards of all three CG Hospitals.

2. In the said notice, applications will be invited from the prospective candidates (CHS officers posted at any of the central institutions) for the vacancy.

3. After receipt of applications, a 7 member Standing Selection Committee (consisting of 3 Dean/Principals and 3 Addl. MSs (one from each hospital) from the three central govt hospitals and one representative of Directorate General of Health Services will be constituted by DGHS and will shortlist the candidates as per Model SOP given below

4. The tenure of the Standing Selection Committee would be for a calendar year from 1st January to 31st December.

5. The selection committee would recommend a panel of three candidates.

6. The MS/Director would take the final decision considering the recommendations of selection committee and then finalise the name of the selected candidate & thereafter order will be issued to the selected candidate.

7. Selection of HoD shall be for 3 years or till attaining 62 years of age, whichever is earlier. Maximum number of terms as HOD for any person shall be two.

8. Acting on reference by MS/Director, the Standing Selection Committee can recommend continuation of any incumbent HoD subject to being consistent with these guidelines.

9. Acting on reference by MS/Director, the Standing Selection Committee can recommend removal of any HoD even before the completion of tenure of 3 years with reasons to be recorded.

10. In case Non-Teaching/General Duty Medical Officers are appointed as HoD, academic activities shall be carried out by senior most Teaching Faculty.

Model SOP for Selection Committee:

1. Eligibility for Consideration: Professors/ Director Professors level officers of CHS cadre with at least 10 years of experience in the concerned field and with at least 1 year of service left available for heading a department.

2. All candidates would make a presentation on the approach and activities they would undertake during their tenure as HoD before the Standing Selection Committee.

3. 3 candidates are to shortlisted by the Standing Selection Committee.

4. A list of such suitable candidates to be made and recommend to the MS/Director for final decision.

5. Standing Selection Committee would make its recommendation on the basis of objective evaluation taking into consideration a wide variety of relevant parameters such as:

Seniority, Performance during the Service (which may be partly assessed through APARs), Vision for the Department (assessed through Presentation), Interpersonal relations & leadership qualities, Feedback from patients, Feedback from students etc.

To view the notice, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/health-ministry-guidelines-198284.pdf

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