WB Govt decides to appoint pvt doctors for state medical colleges

Reversing its earlier stand, the West Bengal State Government in a significant development has decided to recruit doctors from private institutions in the faculty of Government-run teaching hospitals. The Government wants to fill over 128 vacancies by recruiting 33 professors, 46 assistant professors and 49 associate professors.

Sixteen years ago, the State Government decided to bar private practice for doctors in teaching hospitals and introduced non-practising allowance. This led to many teachers leaving government hospitals for plum jobs in private hospitals. Now, the State Government is trying to woo them back.

Said Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the West Bengal Chief Minister. "There is a dearth of quality teachers in the State's Government hospitals." He further added that the government is looking at ways to attract quality individuals now working in private medical institutions in the country and abroad. "Anybody with the right credentials and the willingness to teach at a Government hospital is welcome", he said.

He, however, did not mention from when the proposal would come into effect. "We are working on the details and it will be finalised soon," he said.

The Chief Minister's announcement comes a day after the State Government gave advertisements for teachers of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, forensic medicine, radio-diagnosis, nephrology, community medicine and haematology.

It is not clear how the Government plans to get around the strict Medical Council of India (MCI) rules relating to the appointment of teachers, especially from the private sector.

As of now, the rules do not allow appointment of private teachers to part-time positions on the faculty, of a state-run medical college. Such teachers can be appointed as guest lecturers, and that, too only after all the vacancies have been filled up.