IMA protests PSC decision to open faculty posts in medical colleges to non-medical candidates

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has come out strongly against the move by the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) to open up entry cadre teaching posts (Assistant Professor) in Microbiology and Biochemistry in medical colleges to non-medical candidates with postgraduate degrees.

The PSC had invited applications from candidates with MBBS degree and postgraduate degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry and an year’s experience as resident, towards the posts of Assistant Professors in these subjects in Government Medical Colleges.

However, on the previous day of the exam, it announced that the exam was being postponed. The PSC has now come out with a new notification that said that non-medical candidates in these subjects (MSc qualification) are also eligible to apply.

The IMA has pointed out that the PSC has taken refuge behind that National Medical Commission’s directive that came on July 2, which said that non-medical teachers may be appointed to the extent of 30% of the total number of posts in the respective departments of Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Pharmacology, subject to the non-availability of medical teachers.

However, in Kerala, there are already plenty of candidates with medical degrees and postgraduation in pre-clinical/ para clinical subjects such as Biochemistry and Microbiology, the IMA said.

About 57 persons with MD in Biochemistry and some 100 candidates with MD in Microbiology had applied for the PSC exam against 15-odd vacancies. Given that so many candidates have already applied for the advertised vacancies, the IMA alleged that the PSC’s sudden postponement of exams was possibly intended to allow candidates with non-medical postgraduate degrees to apply for the vacancies.

It pointed out that only persons with clinical orientation should be allowed to teach medical students as it is important to correlate science with symptoms of a patient to arrive at a proper diagnosis. There is no room for trial and error in faculty appointments, it added.

Only persons with a basic medical degree, clinical experience and a treatment-centred approach should be appointed faculty, the IMA said, demanding that the PSC alllow only candidates with MBBS degree and MD/MS to apply for the post of Assistant Professors in Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Pharmacology.

Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association and other professional organisations have also raised the same demand.