Pune: Maharashtra government has decided to centralize the appointment of medical superintendents across all government-run medical colleges in the state, removing the authority from individual deans.

This decision comes after irregularities were observed at B.J. Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital in Pune, where political lobbying and frequent changes in appointments raised concerns about the management of these critical positions.

The medical superintendent holds a pivotal role in overseeing the hospitals attached to the 25 medical colleges in Maharashtra. Until now, deans of these institutions had the authority to appoint the superintendents. 

However, the process has reportedly been marred by political influence, with several candidates vying for the position, resulting in frequent changes.

Over the past year, Sassoon General Hospital alone saw five different superintendents, leading to confusion and disruptions in the hospital’s functioning.

In response, the Department of Medical Education has begun a comprehensive review of all medical colleges in the state. A letter has been issued to each institution, seeking detailed information on their current superintendents, including whether they meet the qualifications set by the National Medical Council (NMC). If they do not, the colleges must provide explanations for the appointments.

The state government intends to assume control over the selection process to ensure transparency and accountability.

The new policy comes after reports that some professors, who are eligible to serve as superintendents, are also department heads, which disqualifies them from holding dual roles under NMC regulations. Furthermore, associate professors are not permitted to take on superintendent roles, creating a gap in eligible candidates.

This situation has led to concerns about how smoothly the new centralized appointment process will be implemented across the state.