Teachers of Tanda college oppose vacation cut, urge CM to reconsider
The Medical Teachers Association of Tanda Medical College in Kangra district has opposed the Himachal Pradesh Government’s proposal to reduce their winter vacations from 37 to 25 days. The faculty warned that if the plan was implemented, they would be forced to withdraw from emergency duties, significantly impacting patient care.
In a letter to the state’s health secretary, the teachers of Tanda Medical College, alongside those from five other state-run medical colleges, expressed their concerns. Dr Munish Saroch, president of the Teachers’ Association, criticised the decision, stating that it fails to acknowledge the unique challenges faced by the medical faculty in managing tertiary-level patient care and teaching responsibilities. He emphasised that this cut would diminish the already limited leave time available to medical teachers, who are working under significant pressure.
Dr Saroch highlighted that faculty members are currently appointed based on the National Medical Commission (NMC) norms, which focus on the educational needs of MBBS and MD students but do not account for the demands of tertiary-level patient care. This oversight has left the faculty overstretched, with some working between 70 to 100 hours per week due to critical patient duties and the shortage of senior residents.
Moreover, the medical faculty in Himachal Pradesh already receive only half the earned leave compared to other state employees, while they lack access to additional benefits like second Saturdays off and consecutive gazetted holidays.
Dr Saroch argued that for decades, the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) managed both patient care and medical education without compromising annual vacations. He questioned how the presence of six medical colleges, one private medical college, AIIMS, and several private hospitals in the current era would make such vacations detrimental to patient care.
The association has urged the Chief Minister to reconsider the decision, recognising the heavy workload placed on medical faculty and ensuring that their rights to adequate leave are preserved.
