Jammu: In all the government medical colleges and dental colleges of Jammu and Kashmir, the head of department(HODs) of all the departments may change in the coming few weeks. The Health and Medical Education Department has directed all medical colleges and dental colleges to implement the order issued three years ago. Aimed to provide equal opportunities for professors working in all the government medical and dental colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, the health and medical education department nearly three years ago on June 22, 2023 issued an order to appoint HODs on rotation in all government medical and dental colleges. At that time, Bhupendra Kumar was the department’s secretary.
Under this order, professor-rank doctors were appointed HODs on rotational basis for two years. This order was similar to the rotation of department heads at Jammu University. However, several department heads opposed it. Except for Dr. AS Bhatia, HOD of the Biochemistry Department at GMC Jammu, no other HODs resigned. Some HODs even challenged this order in court. After this, the order was shelved.
Now, the department’s Additional Secretary, Dr. Ata Ul Munim, has written to all principals, asking them to implement the order. However, this order is likely to intensify unrest in all medical and dental colleges. All current HODs are against this order, and it is certain to face another protest. A senior GMC doctor stated that the decision to change HODs every two years is completely wrong. An HOD should be given at least four years to ensure they can perform well in the department. He added that even at Jammu University, the HOD remains in office for three years. The Health Secretary should reconsider this order.
This decision has been welcomed by professors in the government-run medical and dental colleges, as it offers a respite from the long-standing practice where faculty members, upon promotion to the position of professor, would hold the position of the HoD until their retirement. A doctor in GMC on condition of anonymity said, “Despite becoming a professor one has to wait for the senior most professors to retire before becoming head of department. On few occasions, professors retire without becoming head of the department as he or she was older than the senior most professors”.
Few doctors believe that the new system will break the long-held monopoly of certain professors. A senior official in Health and Medical Education said the decision reflects a commitment to promote meritocracy, enhance career opportunities, and encourage the continuous growth and improvement of the medical and dental education sectors.
