Should non-MBBS graduates lead medical institutions or not? Appointment of RUHS VC Sparks Controversy
Jaipur: The appointment of Dr. Pramod Yeole as the new Vice-Chancellor of Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) by Governor and Chancellor Haribhau Bagde has triggered strong opposition from the state’s medical community. The decision has been met with widespread criticism, as many doctors have expressed concerns about selecting a candidate with a doctoral degree in pharmaceuticals instead of a medical background.
The Rajasthan medical fraternity has strongly opposed the appointment, arguing that a university primarily focused on medical education should be led by someone with expertise in clinical medicine. Many doctors have voiced concerns that such a decision could undermine the credibility of the institution and impact medical education standards, reports the Times of India. In response to the controversial appointment, medical professionals have threatened to launch a statewide protest if the decision is not reconsidered.
Dr. Yeole's tenure will commence once he formally takes charge and will continue for a period of five years or until he reaches the age of 70, whichever occurs first. Before this appointment, he served as the Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU) in Aurangabad since 2019. Before that, he was Pro-Vice Chancellor at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), reports the Daily.
His selection was based on the recommendations of a designated selection committee and was finalized in consultation with the state government. Dr. Yeole, who has a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, has had an extensive academic career. Before becoming Pro-VC at RTMNU in June 2015, he spent 15 years as a professor and principal at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Wardha.
The appointment of a non-medical person as the new Vice-Chancellor of a health university has disappointed the medical community. The state branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has addressed a letter to Governor Haribhau Bagde, asserting that the appointment of Pramod Yeole as the head of the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) contradicts the institution's duty to uphold excellence in medical education and enhance public healthcare services. The university oversees 30 affiliated medical colleges.
Another doctor took to social media and stated, "Would a law university appoint an engineer as its Vice Chancellor? Would an IIT accept a humanities graduate for the role? Can a CA become the head of ISRO? Then why is medical education being treated differently? But the governor has appointed Pramod Yeole, a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences with no MBBS degree, as the Vice Chancellor of Rajasthan University of Health Sciences which is overseeing 30 medical colleges in Rajasthan. Why is the government making a mockery of medical education? Is the government deliberately trying to collapse the medical education system? Why does the government seem so eager to ruin the future of doctors? How much more damage will the government do to medical education?
