Osmania doctors clash over HOD appointment

Hyderabad: Factions of doctors clashed at the Osmania Medical College (OMC) in Koti on Thursday, over the new appointment of HOD, Surgery at the hospital.

When one clashing group of doctors led by Dr. Putla Srinivas left the office of the College Principal, Dr. Aruna Ramaiah on Thursday, police from the Sultan Bazar Chowki rushed to the college premises, fearing untoward happenings. No formal complaint had been lodged, till then, by any of the clashing groups.

As soon as the first clashing group made an exit from the principal’s office, the second faction followed, led by Telangana Government Doctors' Association (TGDA), State President, Dr Pallam Praveen. Seeing police presence on the premises, the group objected. The Principal clarified stating that they had not been called by him and had received information of the clash from outside sources. He further went onto add, that the two groups had exchanged angry words with each other over the new HOD appointment, even suggesting who should be appointed in his place.

According to sources, trouble began when the Principal’s Order, dated August 19, announced Dr Deen Dayal Bung, Professor, General Surgery, OGH, as Head of the Department (HOD), Surgery. The dispute gathered further force when the outgoing HOD, Dr. B. Nagender was asked to hand over charge to the new appointee.

To many a surprised, two days later, Dr. Nagender was recalled and asked to take charge of the position relinquished by him. However,vociferous opposition came forth on the authority's decision by the TGDA. They called it a violation of NTR health university rules. According to the university, ruling, HOD appointments are supposed to be in rotation, every two years, among senior professors of the faculty.

"There are clear rules framed by NTR Health varsity's academic senate in 2013, that say that every two years, HODs should be rotated among existing professors, who have a minimum three years of experience," said Dr Pallam Praveen, supporting the posting of Dr Deen Dayal Bung, as the new HOD.

The appointment orders of Dr Nagendra read that he had taken over as HOD, Surgery, from his predecessor Dr. K. Sreedhar Rao in 2013.