Jharkhand: NMC deadline near, MMCH Daltonganj loses 4 faculty members amid acute staff shortage

THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK

Daltonganj, August 3: Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH), Daltonganj, has suffered another setback after the transfer of four faculty members, further aggravating its already acute faculty shortage just days before the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) August 6 deadline to rectify deficiencies.

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The transfers, ordered by the Jharkhand Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department on the night of July 31, have sparked concerns that the government-run medical college may struggle to meet the NMC’s compliance requirements, exposing it to possible penalties, including a reduction in MBBS seats and suspension of admission renewal for the 2026-27 academic session.

NMC deadline coincides with faculty transfers

According to sources, the NMC had, in a letter dated June 22, 2026, directed the principal of MMCH to remove deficiencies relating to faculty strength, clinical management and infrastructure within 45 days. The deadline expires on August 6.

However, instead of strengthening the institution before the deadline, the state government transferred four faculty members without posting replacements, further weakening the college’s academic strength.

Sources said the timing of the transfers has raised serious concerns, particularly as the NMC has warned that failure to comply with its directives could invite strict penal action, reduction in MBBS seats and suspension of renewal of admissions.

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Medical college faces situation similar to 2020

Sources said the present crisis resembles the situation in 2020, when the then Medical Council of India (now the National Medical Commission) barred MMCH from admitting first-year MBBS students for the 2020-21 academic session because of deficiencies.

They fear the institution could once again face regulatory action if the current shortage of faculty members is not addressed immediately.

MMCH currently has an annual intake of 100 MBBS students.

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Forensic Medicine department faces closure threat

The most critical concern is the Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department.

Sources said Assistant Professor Shakti Prakash Gavaskar, who has now been transferred to Phulo Jhano Medical College, Dumka, was one of the key faculty members in the department.

The situation is expected to worsen further in October, when the department’s lone postgraduate bond faculty member completes his mandatory government service tenure and leaves the institution.

Without immediate recruitment or replacement, the department could become non-functional, sources said.

Four faculty members transferred without replacements

The four faculty members transferred are:

• Shakti Prakash Gavaskar, Assistant Professor, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology – transferred to Phulo Jhano Medical College, Dumka.
• Vinita Nancy Khalkho, Associate Professor, Paediatrics – transferred to MGM Medical College, Jamshedpur.
• Vivek Bhaskar, Associate Professor, Surgery – transferred to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College, Hazaribagh.
• Aditya Kumar Jha, Assistant Professor, Orthopaedics – transferred to MGM Medical College, Jamshedpur.

Sources said none of the transferred faculty members has been replaced.

Faculty shortage remains severe

According to sources, MMCH was already facing a shortage of 11 professors, five associate professors and 30 assistant professors even before these transfers.

The latest transfers have further weakened the institution’s academic workforce at a time when the NMC expects full compliance with prescribed norms.

Principal acknowledges growing concern

MMCH Principal Dr Jakka Srinivas Rao confirmed that the institution has received only a strictly conditional renewal of permission for MBBS admissions for the 2026-27 session.

“The National Medical Commission has granted strictly conditional permission for renewal of admission for the 2026-27 session. It has clearly stated that if the deficiencies are not removed, penal action, reduction in seats and suspension of renewal of admission may be initiated,” Dr Rao said.

Expressing concern over the latest transfers, he added, “Our main concern is the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. With Dr Gavaskar’s transfer, the crisis in the department has deepened.”

Sources within the college added, “At present, the department is functioning with a postgraduate bond faculty member whose tenure ends this October. We have no clarity on how the department will function thereafter.”

This correspondent has a copy of the NMC letter.

Government exploring promotion of postgraduate doctors

Sources in the Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department said the state government is considering promoting postgraduate-qualified doctors serving in government healthcare facilities to the rank of Assistant Professor for deployment in government medical colleges.

According to officials, Jharkhand has between 600 and 800 serving doctors holding MD, MS or DNB qualifications who could potentially be inducted into teaching positions.

In addition, more than 2,000 private practitioners, retired faculty members and other postgraduate-qualified doctors across the state could also be considered for appointment, sources said.

When asked about the proposal, Dr Rao said, “I have also heard about these measures under consideration, including promoting postgraduate-qualified government doctors to the rank of Assistant Professor for deployment in government medical colleges.”

All eyes on NMC’s decision after August 6

With the August 6 deadline fast approaching, all eyes are now on the National Medical Commission’s response. Whether MMCH can satisfy the regulator’s conditions despite mounting faculty shortages will determine not only its academic future but also the prospects of hundreds of MBBS students.