Kerala: Doctors seek autonomy for medical colleges

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To improve falling standards of medical education, in the state, doctors in Kerala have urged for autonomy in government colleges of Kerala. An interesting point made in this direction by the Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA), is that medical colleges be exempted from supervising primary and secondary healthcare; and be turned into academic and tertiary care centers. This action alone they feel, could ensure ensure global standards in medical education.

The doctor recommendations also include:

• A separate Directorate for Specialist Cadre on the lines of the Directorate of Health Services(DHS).


• DHS to be headed by a Director General (DGHS), instead of the present Director of Health Service, as this would give an impetus to the entire public healthcare system.


• Keeping autonomy in mind the KGMCTA, is of the opinion that the principal’s post be upgraded to that of Director and an administrative body set up for assisting this post


• The association mooted a special enactment towards private medical colleges being entrusted to the Directorate of Medical Education(DME)


• District hospitals be converted into training centers for the Diplomate of National Board(DNB) Examinations, which would lead to improvement in patient care and training facilities for Medical Graduates


• Other recommendations included abolishing of Hospital Development Societies in Government Medical Colleges, de-linking Ayush from KUHS and the setting up of a separate AYUSH University.

The association has also called for the overall improvement of primary and secondary levels of healthcare facilities.

Another prominent issue that the KGMCTA addressed was the issue of salaries to cut across differences between institutions across the state.

The Kerala Government Specialist Doctors Association (KGSDA), on its part has recommended that the DGHS have three separate divisions-Director of Specialty Hospitals, DME and Director of Health Services (public health).

They have also laid emphasis on a separate Directorate being instituted to ensure more patient care and concentration on specialization-related issues.