Panel to prepare policy roadmap forautonomy to govt medical colleges

Nagpur: The Maharashtra govt has constituted a high-level committee to prepare a comprehensive policy roadmap for granting autonomy to major govt medical institutions, including the Govt Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, Grant Govt Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals in Mumbai. The committee was set up following directions from CM Devendra Fadnavis.According to the govt, the move aims to enhance academic quality, research capacity, and healthcare delivery at key govt medical institutions through greater administrative and financial autonomy.Former state chief secretary Jayant Kumar Banthia was appointed as the committee chairman. A govt resolution to this effect was recently issued by the state's medical education and drugs department. The panel includes former director of Tata Memorial Hospital Dr Rajendra Badwe, former director of KEM Hospital, Mumbai, Dr Sanjay Oak, associate dean of Grant Medical College Dr Ranjit Mankeshwar, professor and HoD at BJ Govt Medical College, Pune, Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, and registrar of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. The administrator of Maharashtra Medical Council will serve as member secretary.The committee will study the existing administrative and academic structure of govt medical colleges in the state, assess the need and potential benefits of autonomy, and examine successful national and international models. It will review management practices of premier institutions such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, and Tata Memorial Centre.It will also recommend structure and powers of governing boards and academic councils for autonomous colleges, define roles of directors and deans, and suggest financial and administrative mechanisms. Issues such as financial independence, internal revenue generation, audit systems, and revised service conditions for faculty and staff will also be examined.The committee was asked to submit its detailed report to the state govt in three months. Technical assistance will be provided through the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER).