From the Editor’s Desk

By: Feb 4th, 2017 12:23 am

Medical College Sans Faculty

There have always been efforts to drag politics in education and medical fields during the tenure of different governments in the state. One cannot ignore this aspect of politics but certain decisions should be left to the experienced educationists and subject matter specialists. Otherwise, objectives can always go haywire. We can open a college or a medical college but it will become an established educational institute only if backed by complete faculty. Basic question regarding Ner Chowk Medical College is selection of the suitable faculty. Ironically, we looked for faculty in Delhi but only two persons gave their consent against the initial requirement of eight professors or associate professors. We can also analyse the interest of faculty for the proposed AIIMS. Surprisingly, politics is harming such institutes due to ambiguity in policies and norms. We have not learnt any lessons from the gap that surfaced in the cadre of the IGMC and TMC. The government has shown its priority in establishing a medical university but it is a big challenge to attract highly qualified faculty. Why would a person come to Himachal in the midst of cadre wrangling? Senior and experienced doctors from Himachal have migrated due to shortcomings in policies. Fresh doctors of Himachal are getting more packages in government and private hospitals in neighbouring states as compared to what the state government is offering them in the state. Himachali doctors have also contributed in success of PGI, AIIMS, government and private hospitals in Punjab and Haryana. Politicking on basic questions is the reason why Ner Chowk College didn’t get faculty. The challenge of establishing AIIMS and its relevance is also staring along with future of Ner Chowk Medical College. How would AIIMS flourish if Ner Chowk College remains without faculty? There is a need to review the place of AIIMS that has been proposed at a place few kilometres away from Ner Chowk Medical College and nearly two hour journey from Chandigarh. Otherwise, coming generations would rue its relevance due to a lack of faculty. Questions will also be raised on establishing IIM near Paonta Sahib as Central University of Himachal Pradesh has been marred by politics. AIIMS should be established at a place convenient to faculty and patients. It would be better if the governments accord priority to subject matter specialists, experts and ground realities of the state.

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