Doctors Complain of Faculty Shortage, Infrastructure Deficit
They said a majority of senior residents, who were selected, failed to report at work
Hyderabad: Teaching doctors on Thursday highlighted serious faculty shortages and infrastructure deficiencies in government medical colleges across Telangana.
Speaking at the general body meeting of the Telangana Teaching Government Doctors Association (TTGDA) conducted online, doctors said several medical colleges are functioning with acute faculty deficits, severely affecting teaching and clinical services.
They said a majority of senior residents, who were selected, failed to report at work. For instance, at Government Medical College (GMC) Asifabad, 32 out of 40 candidates opted out, while none joined GMC Bhupalpally.
Despite these shortages, faculty deputations to the Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP) hospitals continue, further weakening already understaffed colleges.
Infrastructure gaps were another major concern. Teaching hospitals reportedly lack basic medicines, consumables and laboratory reagents required for routine patient care. Members pointed out that while the government has invested heavily in high-end equipment and advanced machines, essential low-cost infrastructure has been neglected.
The non-release of Aarogyasri funds for the past three years has further hampered service delivery and hospital functioning.
Doctors also raised issues related to excessive non-academic and administrative workload. Faculty are being assigned multiple responsibilities such as SADARAM certification, teaching for Allied Health Sciences courses, health camps and other administrative duties without additional manpower or incentives. In some colleges, paediatric departments are managing SNCUs and PICUs without sanctioned additional faculty, adding to stress and burnout.
Concerns were also expressed over uneven administrative practices, with members demanding that vertical experience be prioritised over horizontal experience in appointments. Lack of clarity regarding GHMC HRA and Rural Service Allowance for doctors working in areas like Maheshwaram was also flagged.
