Andhra Pradesh: Semi autonomous medical college doctors threaten to go on strike

Hyderabad: The semi autonomous status of the state owned medical colleges in Telangana, seems to be agitating the doctors working in these institutions, in a big way. They are now threatening to go on strike, if the state does not change its stance on these institutions. The medical practitioners are threatening to take the agitation if launched, to other medical colleges and hospitals in the state.

The Telangana Government Doctors’ Association (TGGDA) has been categorical in stating that its time the government took a decision on the running of these institution.

“RIMS in Adilabad and the medical college in Mahbubnagar are owned by the government and are run on government funds, but the state has no say in the management of the hospital or staff recruitments," Dr P Praveen, TGGDA President stated. He was of the view that the government transfer complete control of these colleges to itself or hand over complete autonomy.

There is also talk in the medical circles of the health department that the Nizamabad Medical College may be granted a semi autonomous status by the government, and the same fate might be met with the one established in Siddipet.

"Nearly 80% of the faculty at RIMS and Mahbubnagar are on contract and hold senior posts while doctors recruited by the government have been denied promotional avenues. Also, the turnover of the contract staff (regular quitting and recruitments) is hurting education at these colleges," said Dr. Praveen.

"If the government makes these colleges completely autonomous, it will save the state a lot of funds. Right now, it is the government money that is being used, but the state has no control over these medical colleges," he told the TOI.

"We have been fighting this system of semi-autonomous colleges since 2012. The Andhra Pradesh government saw merit in our arguments and converted three such colleges in the state into government-run institutions. I hope the Telagnana government will follow AP on this front. Otherwise, we will launch an agitation in the first week of July," said a critical TGGDA Mahbubnagar unit, President, Dr D Ramkishan.

The TGGDA has announced that the strike will be launched simultaneously in Adilabad Nizamabad Siddipet, and Mahbubnagar, According to Ramkishan, if the government fails to take action on suggestions made, the TGGDA would involve the entire state in the agitation, for its cause.