THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The move to appoint MBBS doctors as faculty in medical colleges has drawn wide criticism, with various medicos’ associations stating that the decision would lead to deterioration of standards in medical education. Pointing out that the move would put hundreds of PG doctors in dire straits, they alleged that if MBBS doctors were appointed as faculty, recognition of medical colleges could be affected as the Medical Council of India (MCI) only recognises PG as qualification for the teaching faculty.
The government is going ahead with the proposal stating that there were not enough PG candidates and those appointed were not willing to take the posts. However, the medicos’ associations have refuted the claims, pointing out that there were enough PG doctors to fill the posts.
They alleged that appointing those who have passed MBBS as faculty in medical colleges would be like posting a a person with SSLC qualification for teaching high school students. While the Kerala Government Post Graduate Medical Teachers Association (KGPGMTA) and Kerala Medical Post Graduates Association (KMPGA) have come out against the move, stating that it would have far reaching consequences, Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) was of the opinion that MBBS doctors could be posted taking into account the interest of society.
Expressing displeasure over the move, KGPGMTA state president Dr Ajith Prasad J S said: “It’s an unnecessary claim that there are not enough PG doctors for the various posts. The government says that there is lack of PG doctors and specialists for the posts to be filled through community reservation.
“The PSC itself had pointed out that shortage comes only with regard to two communities and it had intimated the government to not get worried about it. However, the government seems to be so adamant in appointing MBBS doctors in the entry level.” He said that appointing such doctors in the teaching profession could only affect the medical education. Moreover, he said that if such doctors were appointed it would only increase the burden of the existing qualified persons.
“We will have to shoulder all the responsibility if under-qualified persons are appointed to these posts,” he said.
KMPGA state president Dr Antony Stanley said they had already raised their protest against the move. “The government’s claim that there are not enough qualified PGs is false. It is absurd that government is going for such appointments when MCI norms are against it,” he said.
However, KGMCTA president Dr C P Vijayan was of the opinion that there was nothing wrong in appointing MBBS doctors as faculty in medical colleges. “Wherever there is a shortage of PG doctors, the doctors with lesser qualification can be appointed taking into account wider societal interest,” he said.
Critical?
Appointing MBBS doctors as faculty in medical colleges will have serious impact on the quality of medical education, alleged medicos’ associations
Recognition of Medical Colleges will also be at stake as MCI only recongnises PG as qualification for teaching faculty
It’s said the government was going ahead with the proposal as there were not enough qualified PGs to fill the posts
The doctors’ assns said the move to post MBBS doctors as faculty would only increase the burden of the existing qualified persons
PG doctors association and PG teachers association have registered their strong dissent
KGMCTA was of the opinion that there was nothing wrong in appointing MBBS doctors as faculty in MCs