Move to increase retirement age of med college faculty opposed

Hyderabad: Majority of doctors, particularly junior doctors and senior residents, have opposed the reported move of the state government to increase the retirement age of the government medical college faculty from 65 years to 70 years, saying that it would blight the career prospects of young doctors and result in delay in promotions.

The issue came to the fore after speculations that the government is planning to increase the retirement age of medical college faculty members. The doctors who are up in arms argue that the government should fill the vacancies by taking up regular recruitment, instead of increasing the retirement age.

The Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA) says that any move to extend the retirement age of medical college faculty would adversely affect recruitment opportunities, delay career progression, and limit academic prospects for young doctors in Telangana.

T-JUDA president Dr Ganganolla Vikram urged the government to protect the interests of aspiring academicians, strengthen faculty recruitment, and ensure a progressive and sustainable framework for medical education in the state. The association demanded immediate withdrawal of the alleged proposal, expedited recruitment to all vacant teaching posts across government medical colleges, timely promotions for eligible faculty members to ensure a transparent and merit-based academic structure, creation of additional faculty positions in newly established medical institutions to accommodate the growing pool of specialists; development of honorary mentorship, advisory, and emeritus roles for retired professors so that their expertise continues to benefit students and institutions without affecting regular recruitment and promotional avenues. Dr Arun Voruganti, representing young medical professionals, MBBS graduates, post-graduates, residents and super specialty trainees, says they strongly oppose the move. Dr Arun said that at a time when thousands of highly qualified doctors were struggling to secure government employment opportunities despite years of rigorous training and enormous personal sacrifice.