In Tamil Nadu, a number of super-speciality doctors at government medical college hospitals remain as assistant professors for at least seven to 15 years, while their counterparts at Central government institutions and private medical colleges move to the post of associate professors much faster, thanks to time-bound promotions.
The lack of promotion opportunities, driven by vacancies, coupled with an inadequate number of posts, has been hurting a significant number of super-specialists. “Many of us are serving as assistant professors even after nine to 10 years of completing DM/M.Ch. According to the National Medical Commission (NMC), a doctor should be considered an associate professor two years post-DM/M.Ch, and can become a professor after three years on fulfilling criteria such as publications and basic research. But in Tamil Nadu, the opportunities for promotions are less as the number of posts of associate professors is less. As a result, there is stagnation at the level of assistant professors,” a super-specialist said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
While promotions at Central government institutes are time-bound, promotions in the State are vacancy-based; as a result, some assistant professors in super-specialities remained in the same position for long. By the time he/she reaches the level of associate professor, it is almost seven to 15 years, he added.
According to another doctor, the number of DM/M.Ch courses has increased manifold in the last 10 years, but the number of vacancies has not increased proportionately.
Rare super-speciality departments are the worst hit, another doctor pointed out. “The problem lies in not creating an adequate number of posts. As a result, senior doctors aged 50-55 continue as assistant professors in some rare specialities. Most of them have retired as assistant professors.”
He added that the number of posts should be created based on the patient load. “Deficiencies in faculty posts in rare super- specialities, delay in promotional opportunities and expansion of department are hampering patient-care as well.”
“Increasing the age of retirement and recruiting retired professors for certain hospitals have added to the problem. The solution lies in increasing the number of posts of associates and professors and time-bound re-designation as per NMC norms,” another doctor added.
A. Ramalingam, State secretary, Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association, said full-fledged super-speciality departments should be established at all government medical colleges, including the new ones.
“Such departments should have at least one associate professor. This way, the number of posts will increase and patients will have access to super-speciality care as till now many continue to be referred to major cities for treatment. The government should establish standalone multi-speciality hospitals in major cities that have well-established medical colleges so that additional departments will be created,” he said.
Officials said the number of posts were increased according to the increase in postgraduate seats at super-speciality departments.
