The Congress party has raised an alarm over the staggering faculty vacancies in AIIMS and AIIMS-type institutions across India, urging the government to address the issue as a matter of priority. This concern was brought to light by Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, who referenced a recent statement made by Health Minister JP Nadda in the Rajya Sabha.
Ramesh highlighted that the response from the Health Minister revealed concerning statistics regarding faculty vacancies in the seven fully operational AIIMS institutions, with rates ranging from 24% to 39%. AIIMS New Delhi, the flagship institution, reported a 34% vacancy, raising significant concerns about maintaining educational standards and healthcare services.
In addition, Ramesh pointed out that twelve cities with partially operational AIIMS-type institutions also face severe faculty shortages, with Rajkot showing a staggering 59.5% vacancy rate. He urged the Health Minister to address this issue urgently without compromising on the quality of faculty recruitment.
The faculty shortage in AIIMS institutions is a critical issue that could impact medical education, patient care, and research in India. Experts in the medical field stress the need for timely recruitment and retention of highly qualified faculty members to uphold AIIMS’ reputation as premier medical institutions.
While the government has taken steps to expand AIIMS institutions across the country to improve healthcare accessibility, ensuring that these institutions are fully staffed remains a significant challenge. Addressing faculty shortages is crucial for sustaining the high standards of medical education and healthcare delivery that AIIMS institutions are known for.
The government has yet to issue a formal response outlining concrete measures to resolve the faculty crisis. Meanwhile, the issue continues to be a matter of national concern, with stakeholders from various sectors calling for swift and effective intervention.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and statements made by political figures. It aims to provide an objective overview of the issue without endorsing any political viewpoint.