Medical Superintendent cannot hold additional charge of HoD: HC Directs medical college to comply with NMC norms

Stating that a Medical Superintendent of an Autonomous Medical Institution cannot be given an additional charge of the Head of Department, a single-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court recently quashed an official memorandum issued by Shivamogga Institute of Medical Sciences appointing its Medical Superintendent as the in-charge HOD of the ENT Department.

The High Court bench comprising Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum further directed the medical college to comply with the National Medical Commission (NMC) norms regarding the separation of the administrative and clinical roles within the medical college.

Meanwhile, the Medical Superintendent has been directed by the court to refrain from assuming additional clinical responsibilities such as serving as a Head of Department (HoD) contrary to the NMC norms.

The plea was filed by a doctor, who challenged the Office Memorandum dated 31.01.2024 issued by the Medical Institution, through which the Medical Superintendent was appointed as HOD of ENT Department.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about Teachers Eligibility Qualifications In Medical Institutions Regulations, 2022, notified by NMC.