Nagpur: High Court Addresses Faculty Vacancies at AIIMS
RTI Findings Reveal Alarming Vacancy Rates
A recent Right to Information (RTI) application has uncovered that nearly 40 percent of faculty positions remain unfilled across 11 All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), including AIIMS Nagpur. Specifically, AIIMS Nagpur has reported that 36.7 percent of its sanctioned posts are vacant, with 137 out of 373 positions unoccupied. This shortage is raising serious concerns regarding healthcare delivery and medical education.
Bombay High Court Steps In
In response to these findings, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the issue. The court highlighted that the ongoing faculty shortage is detrimental to both patient care and medical training. Consequently, the bench has decided to register the matter as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
Widespread Impact of Faculty Shortages
According to data obtained from various RTI applications, a staggering 1,600 out of 4,099 faculty positions across the 11 AIIMS are currently vacant. This significant shortfall raises concerns about the quality of patient care, the availability of specialist services, and the effectiveness of medical education. Both established and newer AIIMS institutions are experiencing this faculty deficit.
Judicial Observations
During the proceedings, Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode of the division bench remarked, “Institutions like AIIMS are meant to provide high-quality healthcare to the public, and large-scale vacancies involving wider public interest are a matter of serious concern.” The court has appointed senior counsel and former Chhattisgarh Advocate General JK Gilda as amicus curiae to assist in the case, while Advocate Shaunakh Kothekar has been tasked with preparing and filing the petition.
Government Representation
Advocate Mugdha Chandurkar represented the Union government during the hearing, with Additional Government Pleader Deepak Thakare advocating for the State government. The court is expected to review this matter promptly.
Severe Shortages Across Other AIIMS
The faculty shortage is not limited to AIIMS Nagpur. At AIIMS Delhi, the oldest and largest AIIMS in India, 524 out of 1,306 sanctioned faculty posts are vacant across critical departments such as medicine, surgery, anaesthesia, paediatrics, neurology, oncology, and emergency care.
High Vacancy Rates at Newer AIIMS
Newer AIIMS institutions are facing even greater challenges. For instance, AIIMS Jodhpur has reported 46.7 percent of its faculty posts vacant, while AIIMS Gorakhpur is experiencing 45.5 percent vacancies. AIIMS Jammu has a shortfall of 44.3 percent, and AIIMS Kalyani and AIIMS Bilaspur also have more than 40 percent of their positions unfilled.
Comparative Vacancy Rates at Other Institutions
Other AIIMS institutions exhibit lower vacancy rates, with AIIMS Bathinda at 37.4 percent, AIIMS Raipur at 34.8 percent, AIIMS Bhubaneswar at 26 percent, and AIIMS Bhopal at 25.6 percent.
Conclusion
The alarming vacancy rates across AIIMS institutions highlight a pressing issue that requires immediate attention to ensure the quality of healthcare and medical education in the country.