Senior docs to be given honorary posts
TNN | Jan 8, 2020, 04.57 AM IST
Chennai: The directorate of medical education is planning to appoint ‘honorary’ professors who will mentor doctors, perform state-of-the art surgeries and offer guidance to medical college students. These professors are mostly retired government doctors or renowned medical professionals who have served in the private sector in India or abroad and are below the age of 70.
Deans of government medical colleges across the state have asked heads of departments to give their opinion about the need for honorary professors. “The idea is to have experts on campus to help patients and guide doctors,” said director of medical education Dr R Narayana Babu. Doctors retire from service at the age of 58 compared to 65 in the central government services. “They have an abundance of experience and they can really help our patients,” he said.
For instance, a city medical college hospital has stopped doing sex reassignment surgeries after one of the senior surgeons retired. “Getting that professor back into college will benefit a lot of patients. More doctors will also get themselves trained so they can continue doing the surgery,” Dr Narayana Babu said. Deans have also been asked to look out for retired professors with administrative skills for managing activities to acquire and maintain NABH accreditation.
These doctors will not be on government rolls or enjoy benefits such as provident fund or health insurance. “They will not be paid a salary, they will be given a designation of honorary professor,” he said. Health department is yet to decide if they should pay an honorarium.
Senior doctors say the concept of honorary professors isn’t entirely new. In the early 80s, many colleges had professors who were not on government rolls. “They all came to the hospital for surgery, did their routine rounds and took classes for student. These professors did not have to adhere to working hours, many of them came even on Sundays. In those days, holding a honorary position in a government hospital was a matter of pride,” said Kilpauk Medical College dean Dr Vasanthamani P. “Many senior doctors including corporate hospital owners joined and retired as honorary professors,” she said.
So far, the state has a signed memorandum of understanding with doctors in the private sector to conduct high-end surgeries. For instance, liver transplant surgeon Dr Mohamed Rela and his team visits Stanley Medical College to conduct liver transplant surgeries, while senior cardiologist Dr AB Gopalmurugan conducts high-end cardiac procedures at the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Omanduarar. “If this proposal is cleared, we will have more such experts to inspire our students,” Dr Narayana Babu said.
TNN | Jan 8, 2020, 04.57 AM IST
Chennai: The directorate of medical education is planning to appoint ‘honorary’ professors who will mentor doctors, perform state-of-the art surgeries and offer guidance to medical college students. These professors are mostly retired government doctors or renowned medical professionals who have served in the private sector in India or abroad and are below the age of 70.
Deans of government medical colleges across the state have asked heads of departments to give their opinion about the need for honorary professors. “The idea is to have experts on campus to help patients and guide doctors,” said director of medical education Dr R Narayana Babu. Doctors retire from service at the age of 58 compared to 65 in the central government services. “They have an abundance of experience and they can really help our patients,” he said.
For instance, a city medical college hospital has stopped doing sex reassignment surgeries after one of the senior surgeons retired. “Getting that professor back into college will benefit a lot of patients. More doctors will also get themselves trained so they can continue doing the surgery,” Dr Narayana Babu said. Deans have also been asked to look out for retired professors with administrative skills for managing activities to acquire and maintain NABH accreditation.
These doctors will not be on government rolls or enjoy benefits such as provident fund or health insurance. “They will not be paid a salary, they will be given a designation of honorary professor,” he said. Health department is yet to decide if they should pay an honorarium.
Senior doctors say the concept of honorary professors isn’t entirely new. In the early 80s, many colleges had professors who were not on government rolls. “They all came to the hospital for surgery, did their routine rounds and took classes for student. These professors did not have to adhere to working hours, many of them came even on Sundays. In those days, holding a honorary position in a government hospital was a matter of pride,” said Kilpauk Medical College dean Dr Vasanthamani P. “Many senior doctors including corporate hospital owners joined and retired as honorary professors,” she said.
So far, the state has a signed memorandum of understanding with doctors in the private sector to conduct high-end surgeries. For instance, liver transplant surgeon Dr Mohamed Rela and his team visits Stanley Medical College to conduct liver transplant surgeries, while senior cardiologist Dr AB Gopalmurugan conducts high-end cardiac procedures at the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Omanduarar. “If this proposal is cleared, we will have more such experts to inspire our students,” Dr Narayana Babu said.
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