Medical colleges in TN face severe faculty shortage

Updated on: Wednesday, January 19, 2011

With the state announcing five new medical colleges in Tamil Nadu soon, the availability of faculty is the major hurdle to obtain Medical Council of India (MCI) recognition. Some existing medical colleges in the districts are calling for attention as they lack basic facilities and regular faculty which affects the students.

"In most medical colleges, the staff arrive only at a particular time and leave within a few hours for their private practice. In a recent incident, a group of youths intercepted the staff who were irregular and protested against their behaviour in Katpadi," says Mr K. Ameer Khan, co-convener, People's health movement, Tamil Nadu.

He said the government's announcement to open new colleges in the backward districts is welcome but steps should be taken to fill the existing vacancies as well.

"Not just teaching faculty, there is also dearth of ancillary subject staff. Some colleges have all necessary medical equipment but no lab technicians are available to operate them," points out Khan. Before opening new colleges, a proper work plan is the need of the hour. "The government should allot proper resources and staff should be provided with good amenities. Action should be taken against professors who shirk duty," he added.

When contacted, a senior health department official said, colleges in the southern districts should invite retired professors to teach and plans exist to increase the number of teaching staff over the next three years.

Medical colleges in TN face severe faculty shortage

More Education news