Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) has disaffiliated many colleges and courses for the current session for not having proper infrastructure and adequate staff. These include the physiotherapy and nursing courses at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). MUHS took this step to improve the standard of medical education in the state.
The Physiotherapy School and Centre at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), the only OTPT government college in Maharashtra, has long been demanding upgradation of posts and sent a proposal to Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER). Yet, the school has a serious shortage of teaching staff. Insiders fear the school may be shut down soon due to these long standing deficiencies.
"All colleges with less than 60% of required number of teachers have suffered this fate. More than hundred colleges and courses were in the list, including some departments of GS Medical College attached to KEM Hospital, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College at Sion, and Topiwala National Medical College at Nair Hospital. Many colleges have acted quickly and were subsequently affiliated again," said MUHS vice chancellor Arun Jamkar.
The university had conducted surprise visits to many colleges in April and May. The disaffiliation have been based on observations and information collected during these visits. The VC said he got several mails from students complaining about the college and the way classes are conducted. Since so many colleges have lost their affiliations, he suggested students should confirm affiliation status of the colleges they seek admission to.
No admissions have taken place in either physiotherapy or occupational therapy courses for this academic year so far. Ever since the school came into being in 1968, the designations have not been upgraded. Both departments are still headed by superintendents instead of HODs. Despite the teaching staff being qualified, they still hold posts of lecturers and not of professors or assistant professors.
"We have forwarded our proposal to DMER, which has forwarded it to the state government. In the first round of admissions, most students would opt for MBBS. This kind of uncertainty happens every year. We are sure the seats would be filled in the second round of admissions by the end of August," said Dr PP Ukey, superintendent of occupational therapy department.
DMER acting director Dr Pravin Shingare concurred. "Though no admissions have taken place in the first round, we are making efforts towards filling up the seats in the second round. There are some discrepancies and as soon as they are sorted out, admissions would resume," he said.
In 2003, a similar situation had arisen with MUHS deciding to withhold admissions to schools. After students agitated and the government intervened, admissions were resumed the next year. Back then, the government had assured the university that they would act fast to solve the problems.
"For more than a decade now, the creation of relevant posts and conversion of others are pending. It seems the government has not even considered the proposals. The affiliation has been awarded by MUHS due to consideration of the government assurances. Looking at the strict stance of the university now, it seems the school would have to be shut down," said a source from GMCH.
The undergraduate admissions have not been allowed right now. Next month, the admissions to post graduate courses may also be affected, forcing a closure of the school, fear insiders.