59% Vacancy in Medical College Specialty Wings Sparks Urgent Action
Vijayawada: Health and Family Welfare Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav has cited a severe shortage of specialist doctors as the primary reason behind the government’s decision to establish new medical colleges under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Addressing the assembly on Wednesday, the minister revealed that 59% of assistant professor posts in specialty wings of medical colleges remain vacant across the state, despite multiple recruitment drives.
Staffing Shortages in Medical Colleges
Yadav criticized former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for making “misleading” claims about faculty vacancies. He pointed out that even Kadapa and Pulivendula medical colleges are facing serious staffing shortages.
“We are struggling to fill positions in super specialty wings, with only 153 assistant professors currently working against a sanctioned strength of 369,” he stated. The minister stressed that these vacancies must be addressed for medical colleges to function effectively.
PPP Model to Attract Private Sector Collaboration
To bridge the gap, the government is adopting the PPP model, inviting private hospitals and corporate firms to collaborate in establishing new medical colleges.
Yadav also announced plans to strengthen Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to reduce pressure on teaching hospitals. He warned that neglecting primary and secondary healthcare has led to an unsustainable burden on tertiary care institutions.
Government Committed to Infrastructure Development
The minister assured that the government is committed to completing infrastructure for new colleges by securing central funds and loans. However, he reiterated that filling specialist doctor vacancies remains the most critical challenge in ensuring the success of these institutions.
