Sword of Damocles hangs over the Rajiv Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) which has been denied green signal by the Medical Council of India (MCI) for admitting fifth batch of 100 students during 2015-16, giving jitters to the medicos pursuing education in the RIMS for four years.
The MCI has pointed out 13 deficiencies and given time till January 21 to take corrective steps, explained RIMS Director B. Anjaiah while talking to The Hindu .
Expressing concern over the pace of construction work going on at RIMS, for which the foundation stone was laid as early as 2007, a group of students said they were worried whether the RIMS would get recognition in 2016 to enable them to either go for post-graduation study or settle in a job.
Allaying the fears of students, RIMS Hospital Development Society Chairman and Prakasam district Collector G.S.R.K.R.Vijaykumar said “17 deficiencies were pointed out as against 13 now. We will take up with the State government and ensure rectification of all of them in time.”
A major deficiency pointed out by the MCI related to staff shortage which was about 15 per cent as against permissible 10 per cent, Dr. Anjaiah said, adding non-completion of an auditorium to seat 500 persons at a time was another major deficiency mentioned by the MCI.
A majority of the staff on rolls were taken on contract basis and their pay has been pending for over seven months.
“The State government is seized of the issues, including filling up vacancies in the post of specialists for various departments. We will certainly get the MCI nod by rectifying the deficiencies before the next visit,” Dr. Anjaiah expressed confidence.
After missing two academic years, the RIMS got the MCI’s nod for admitting the first batch of 100 students only in 2011 for 2011-12 academic year. It has always been a touch and go affair for the RIMS, which had been plagued with a plethora of problems ever-since RIMS, the brainchild of then Chief Minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy was conceived.
Lack of coordination and dearth of funds in the Medical and Health Department had resulted in delay in construction of a functioning hospital and hostel and other facilities with four contractors changing in between 2007 and 2014 and the construction cost went up from Rs. 125 crore in 2005 to Rs. 242.32 crore due to time overrun.
The RIMS, which was denied the MCI nod last year after the first visit, got it in the nick of time only after the intervention of then Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in the wake of representations from State Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas.
Worried students and their parents are hoping against hope that the State government steps in to rectify the deficiencies including staff shortage and auditorium early and get the MCI nod in time.
