Association calls for a two-month moratorium on transfers, fresh recruitment and a high-level committee to address staffing concerns
Shimla, October 15
The State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT), IGMC and GDC Shimla, has expressed serious concern over administrative orders and proposed realignments involving the transfer of faculty members, departments and clinical responsibilities from Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, to the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialties (AIMSS), Chamiana. In a representation dated October 15, the association urged the Himachal Pradesh government to review the proposed changes, maintaining that the development of specialised healthcare infrastructure should complement existing institutions rather than weaken them.
SAMDCOT stated that IGMC Shimla has served as a key institution for undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, clinical research and specialised healthcare delivery in the state for six decades. While supporting the development of AIMSS Chamiana, the association said its expansion should be achieved through independent capacity building and fresh recruitment instead of transferring experienced personnel from the existing medical college.
The association argued that redeploying faculty members and clinicians from IGMC to AIMSS would merely shift existing manpower shortages from one campus to another, potentially creating staffing gaps at both institutions. It also raised concerns regarding compliance with the staffing requirements of the National Medical Commission (NMC), stating that transfers and deputations could reduce faculty strength below prescribed minimum requirements and affect the recognition of medical seats, postgraduate training and clinical residency programmes.
SAMDCOT also expressed concern over patient care and inadequate transition planning during the redistribution of clinical responsibilities. It said patients, particularly those who are critically ill, elderly or from rural areas, could face difficulties travelling between IGMC’s Lakkar Bazaar campus and AIMSS Chamiana if clear referral pathways and adequate logistical arrangements were not established. The association stressed the need for proper referral protocols, dedicated transport, integrated diagnostic services and transparent duty rosters to ensure continuity of treatment.
The representation highlighted several issues concerning faculty service conditions, including the withdrawal of Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) for certain specialist cadres, denial of standard leave and vacation entitlements to designated Assistant Professors, and uncertainty arising from the implementation of a common cadre policy without clearly defined transfer criteria. The association also raised concerns about DM and MCh students admitted under IGMC Shimla, the identification of teaching departments during NMC inspections, and the availability of government funding for faculty members to participate in academic conferences and research-related activities.
As part of its ten-point charter of demands, SAMDCOT has sought an immediate two-month moratorium on proposed and pending transfers of faculty members, units and departments from IGMC Shimla to AIMSS Chamiana. It has called for a review of recent redeployment and transfer orders to ensure compliance with service rules and institutional requirements. The association has also demanded fresh recruitment of faculty, nursing officers, paramedical staff and technicians for AIMSS Chamiana instead of drawing personnel from IGMC’s existing workforce.
The association has further proposed the constitution of a joint high-level committee comprising Health Department officials, hospital administrators and elected faculty representatives to assess infrastructure, workload and human resource requirements. It has called for strict adherence to NMC staffing norms through written assessments before faculty deployment, uniform NPA policies and leave provisions for equivalent clinical grades, transparent common cadre rules, and mandatory consultations with department heads and faculty associations before major administrative reorganisations. A time-bound written policy roadmap has also been sought to address operational and governance concerns.
In its concluding appeal, SAMDCOT urged the state government, the Chief Minister, the Health Minister and the Department of Health and Family Welfare to initiate constructive and transparent dialogue to resolve the issues. The association said it favoured collaborative solutions over administrative confrontation but cautioned that prolonged inaction or unilateral directives could leave faculty members with no alternative but to explore democratic and lawful methods of protest.
A general body meeting of SAMDCOT was held on October 14 and 15 to discuss the issues raised in the representation. According to the association, members unanimously endorsed the resolutions outlined in the document. SAMDCOT reiterated that healthcare development in Himachal Pradesh should strengthen institutional capacity, safeguard medical education standards and ensure uninterrupted patient care.
