Proposed Re-designation of Hospital Administrators as Faculty Triggers Unrest in J&K

A proposal to re-designate Medical Superintendents, Deputy Medical Superintendents, and Assistant Medical Superintendents as Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors respectively in government medical colleges of Jammu and Kashmir has triggered concern and unrest within the medical fraternity.

Sources said the proposal, currently under consideration, carries significant academic and regulatory implications, particularly in relation to compliance with norms set by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

As per the Teachers Eligibility Qualifications (TEQ) Regulations, 2022, faculty appointments in medical colleges require specific criteria, including recognized postgraduate qualifications, defined teaching experience, and mandatory research publications. Experts подчеркнули that academic designations are granted based on individual merit and eligibility, not administrative roles.

Medical Superintendent and related posts are primarily administrative, involving hospital management and service delivery, and are distinct from academic faculty roles that demand teaching, curriculum involvement, and research output.

Experts in medical education have warned that any blanket re-designation without ensuring compliance with NMC norms could lead to serious consequences. “Such positions may not be recognised as valid faculty during inspections, potentially resulting in faculty deficiencies, loss of accreditation, or reduction in student intake,” they cautioned.

They further emphasized that while NMC has introduced limited flexibility to induct experienced specialists into teaching roles, such appointments must meet strict eligibility conditions and follow due selection procedures.

A delegation of doctors has urged authorities to align any policy decision with regulatory requirements, suggesting that administrative officers should be considered for academic roles only if they independently fulfil all prescribed criteria and are selected through a proper process.

The experts stressed that a compliant and structured approach would help safeguard academic standards, ensure regulatory approval, and maintain the integrity of medical education institutions in the Union Territory.