While the State government is keen on establishing an All India Institute of Medical Sciences, little attention is being paid to the fate of non-clinical subjects in State government-run medical colleges.
Since very few students opt for post graduation in non-clinical subjects, there are not enough teachers. Three subjects - Anatomy, Forensic Medicine and Community Medicine – are basic requirements for medical education and lay the foundation for MBBS degree.
Despite the seriousness of the problem efforts to obtain details under the Right to Information elicited no response.
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The Directorate of Medical Education did not respond to questions on whether all medical colleges have adequate number of professors, assistant professors and associate professors and the sanctioned strength of the faculty positions in each subject.
The DME also refused to provide information to queries on the vacancy position in these departments, the number of specialists who have resigned from government service, the number of candidates who had discontinued the course and the salary component of the non-clinical faculty.
In the last few years, at least two senior forensic medicine experts, both attached to Government Royapettah Hospital, resigned from their posts.
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At least one of them cited inability to function in the atmosphere prevailing in the medical college. Doctors have maintained that clinicians earn a hefty fee through private practice, but non-clinical specialists do not have that choice.
Even the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association, usually vociferous in its demands, is reticent. Association president K. Senthil says the backlog of assistant professor posts will be cleared in four to five years in all non-clinical subjects, except Community Medicine.
However, the backlog for associate and professors would take a longer time as a candidate will require nine years’ experience to qualify for the post of professor. Each department should have at least a professor and two assistant professors.
According to Dr. Senthil, a community medicine specialist works in the Directorate of Public Health, and only the DPH can transfer the specialist.
“We have been demanding the transfer of power from the DPH to the medical college dean and the Directorate of Medical Education. Unless this happens neither directorate will take interest in the speciality,” he says.
In the last few years, at least two senior forensic medicine experts, both attached to Government Royapettah Hospital, resigned from their posts