Punjab: Medical Teachers oppose new monitoring Committee

Amritsar: A high-powered planning and monitoring committee, put together recently, for up gradation and monitoring of medical institutions in the state has met with criticism from the Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers’ Association.

The Association has taken a critical view of the constituted monitoring committee, as it comprises of advisors to the previous government. The Association is of the view that these advisers were responsible for the deterioration that has set in the field of medical education. It is of the opinion, that if the new committee is also to comprise of the same members', chances of improvement in the state of affairs, is unlikely.

“Apart from a person, who is an adviser to former CM, the faculty has strong objections over the involvement of at least other two members,” Association, President, HS Sohal told The Tribune.

The Association also feels that most of the current committee members though veterans are out of touch with the latest advancements in the field of education and therefore, their inputs would matter little in bringing about improvement in the sphere of medical education.

One of the members, the Association revealed is a PCMS official, who does not have any concern with medical education; while another one is a private practitioner from Patiala with no teaching experience.

The Association has also requested President, Punjab Medical Council to refrain from joining, as he is already the head of a constitutional post.