THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Medical Commission and the University of Health Sciences have given permission for admission to 450 MBBS seats in the four government medical colleges of the state this year. This follows the state government's assurance that 250 teachers will be appointed soon.

There were 150 MBBS seats in Alappuzha, 100 each in Idukki, Konni and Palakkad Medical Colleges, which were hanging by a thread due to a lack of teachers. The Health Department asked the Finance Department to allocate 250 teaching posts immediately to avoid losing approval for the course. It was also informed that 450 MBBS admission was allowed on this assurance. The posts of teachers and residents including professors should be created. Although the medical commission will accept a 10% shortage of teachers, in most places it is 40 to 50% shortage of teachers. The Medical Commission has proposed many new categories including emergency medicine. It is alleged that a quarter of the existing posts are vacant and the steps to fill them up by giving timely promotions are being delayed.

Earlier, when the medical council came to inspect the colleges, it was customary to transfer the teachers from other places to fill up the number. Medical Commission's proposal is to appoint permanent teachers and shift their attendance to Aadhaar and biometric-based system. It was also suggested that there should be a camera system in the colleges so that the attendance system can be monitored by the medical commission. With that, the shortage of teachers affected the approval of the course. Depriving the meritorious students of seats that can be studied at a fee of Rs 30,000 will harm the students.

Everything because of the assurance by the government

• Although the Medical Commission withdrew approval of 150 MBBS seats in Alappuzha Medical College, admission was allowed on the government's assurance that the deficiencies would be addressed. 26 seats in Alappuzha have been notified by Medical Counseling Committee for admission in the All India Quota.
• Although the health varsity had barred admissions to Konni, Palakkad and Idukki medical colleges, this year admissions were allowed following the government's assurance that the shortage of teachers would be addressed.
• The government has filed an appeal against the cancellation of recognition of PG seats in Kozhikode, Pariyaram and Thrissur medical colleges. Two PG seats were lost in Kozhikode, and seven each in Pariyaram and Thrissur.

Shortage of teachers (in percentage)

Idukki-40

Konni-33

Alappuzha-19

Palakkad-14