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, the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) was of the opinion that MBBS doctors could be appointed 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.” 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.