AP govt promotes 118 associate professors in medical colleges

Vijayawada: The state govt on Tuesday issued posting orders promoting 118 associate professors working in govt medical colleges and teaching hospitals as professors. The proposals for promotions and postings were approved by health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav, in accordance with existing service norms, under which vacant professor posts are to be filled through promotion of eligible associate professors. Of the 118 doctors promoted, 81 belong to 10 clinical departments, 37 to non-clinical departments, and 2 to super speciality departments.According to an official release issued by the health minister's office on Tuesday, the state govt filled 45% of the professor-level vacancies with the latest round of promotions. However, despite the exercise, 144 professor posts, constituting 18% of the total sanctioned strength, still remain vacant, the ministry mentioned.The ministry said that a total of 804 professor posts were sanctioned across clinical, non-clinical, and super speciality departments. Of these, 262 posts, amounting to 33%, were vacant prior to the promotions.The health ministry noted that the situation in super speciality departments remains grim, as nearly 100 posts out of 155 sanctioned professor posts are still vacant in the State. The health ministry said only 2 doctors (Paediatric Surgery and Medical Oncology) were promoted as professors in the super speciality department due to the absence of eligible candidates meeting the prescribed norms, requiring a minimum of 3 years' teaching experience as associate professor.In this regard, Satya Kumar Yadav expressed serious concern over the high vacancy rate in super specialities, particularly in departments witnessing rising patient load and demand for advanced care.