Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) has strongly opposed the govt’s decision to redeploy teaching posts from existing govt medical colleges to strengthen the newly established K Karunakaran Memorial Govt Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram.The association said it fully supports the establishment of new govt medical colleges and efforts to strengthen medical education and the public healthcare system. However, it said the manpower required for new institutions should not be found by taking away faculty posts from existing medical colleges that are already facing an acute shortage of doctors and teachers.KGMCTA office-bearers said the medical colleges at Konni, Idukki, Wayanad and Kasaragod, which have already begun functioning, are yet to receive adequate faculty posts. The shortage of teachers has put these institutions under severe strain.Only 44 faculty posts — 22 each for Wayanad and Kasaragod medical colleges — were created last year, although the previous govt had assured that around 200 teaching posts would be created for the medical colleges at Kasaragod, Wayanad, Idukki and Konni.The association said reducing faculty posts from existing colleges, including Konni, and redeploying them to new institutions without first creating the required posts would adversely affect medical education and the public healthcare system.KGMCTA also pointed out that several young doctors included in PSC rank lists are waiting for appointments to govt medical services. Instead of creating new posts and appointing them, govt’s decision to cut and redeploy existing posts would further reduce employment opportunities for doctors, it said.Faculty members in govt medical colleges are already carrying a heavy workload involving undergraduate and postgraduate education in MBBS, BDS, nursing and paramedical courses, examinations, patient care, research and administrative responsibilities. Cutting sanctioned posts would directly affect both patient care and teaching, the association said.The shortage of doctors could increase pressure on outpatient and inpatient services, emergency care and surgeries. Students too could lose valuable clinical exposure, bedside teaching, practical training and opportunities for direct interaction with patients and individual academic guidance, KGMCTA said.The association urged the govt to create additional posts for new medical colleges instead of weakening existing institutions. It demanded the creation of adequate posts for professors, associate professors, assistant professors, residents, technical staff and supporting personnel.
