A recent government order in Telangana has ignited a fierce backlash from the state's medical community, setting the stage for a major confrontation over the control of the medical profession. The order, known as Government Order (GO) 229, expands the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) by adding four more ex-officio members, effectively increasing the council's total strength from 25 to 29 members.
What Does GO 229 Change?
Currently, the 25-member Telangana Medical Council is composed of a specific mix of representatives. This includes 13 elected members, all of whom belong to the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA). Additionally, there are six government nominees, two members from the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS), and four existing ex-officio government officials. These officials are the Director of Medical Education (DME), the Director of Public Health (DoPH), the TVVP commissioner, and the KNRUHS Vice-Chancellor.
The new GO 229 introduces four additional ex-officio members nominated by the state government. This change raises the number of ex-officio members on the council from four to eight, significantly altering the balance of power within the statutory body responsible for regulating medical education and professional standards in Telangana.
Why Are Doctors Up in Arms?
The move has united major doctors' organisations across Telangana in strong opposition. Key bodies including the Telangana branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the Telangana State Resident Doctors Association (TSRDA), the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA), and the Telangana Teaching Doctors Association (TTGDA) have all voiced their protest.
Their primary objection is that most of the newly added members are non-doctors and bureaucrats. They argue that increasing non-medical representation in a council meant to oversee the medical profession is counterproductive and undermines the principle of self-regulation. The associations warn that diluting the role of practicing doctors in the council will weaken professional oversight and erode its autonomy. Their collective demand is clear: the government must withdraw GO 229 and ensure the council remains predominantly led by doctors.
A senior doctor, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that the order effectively places a statutory regulatory body under the control of non-medical bureaucrats and IAS officers. This, they claim, is a direct violation of the Telangana Medical Practitioners Registration Act of 1968. The doctor further alleged that the expansion seems strategically designed to reduce the medical council's autonomy through increased bureaucratic control.
Legal and Procedural Concerns Raised
Dr. Gundagani Srinivas, a member of the TGMC, highlighted specific legal discrepancies to the Times of India. He pointed out that the existing Act permits only four ex-officio members and one officer to be part of the council. "There is no provision to appoint four additional ex-officio members," he asserted. Dr. Srinivas also emphasized that all council members are required to be doctors by qualification. However, he noted that the special or joint secretary and the Aarogyasri CEO nominated under the new order do not hold medical degrees.
The opposition is not merely rhetorical. The Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA) has issued a stern warning, stating that it will resort to democratic protests and lawful collective action if the state government fails to retract the controversial order. This sets the stage for potential agitations, including protests and strikes, from the crucial junior doctor community.
The controversy over GO 229 strikes at the heart of professional self-governance in Telangana's healthcare sector. It raises critical questions about who should regulate the medical profession and whether increased bureaucratic influence comes at the cost of professional integrity and independent oversight. The state government's next move will be crucial in determining whether this dispute escalates into a full-blown confrontation with the entire medical fraternity.
