The battle over Delhi University's UCMS

The dual control’ over University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) has slowed expansion of MBBS, PG seats, stalled establishment of new departments, delayed fund utilisation, says a DU EC note. Teachers say a shift to the Delhi government will imply loss of autonomy

- Shradha Chettri

The death of a man in January due to the unavailability of a CT scan machine in Delhi's hospitals did not just open a can of worms about public healthcare in the capital, it also proved to be hugely consequential for a medical college. The issue of governance of the University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), Delhi University believed to be buried for good in 2016 with a Delhi High Court stay order - has emerged again.

For close to two decades, Delhi University a central institution - and the Delhi government have squabbled over the responsibility of the medical college. In 2016, the Delhi HC stayed a transfer to the Delhi government.

On April 15, a committee with the dean of Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) as chairman and five other members was constituted to "examine all aspects of handing over/taking over of UCMS by GNCTD from Delhi University". The DU hasn't taken a stance, but UCMS teachers say the university's executive council (EC) has already allotted land for the college to build a hospital of its own.

Over the years, the lack of coordination between UCMS' UCMS' twin administrators has delayed fund utilisation and procurement, stalled the expansion of MBBS and PG seats, and even prevented the establishment of new departments, an EC note had said. But the shift will also significantly impact UCMS teachers.

'Dual control'

The UCMS is the only DU-maintained medical college and was established in 1971 at the university's chemistry block. As a medical college has to be associated with a hospital, students briefly attended clinical classes at Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial (LLRM) Medical College, Meerut.