Staffing Shortage Persists Across India's AIIMS Institutions
Lack of Staff at AIIMS: 40% Faculty Positions Remain Unfilled Nationwide, Admits Government
The All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are facing a persistent staffing shortage, particularly in faculty positions. This issue is attributed to several factors that have impacted the recruitment of both faculty and non-faculty staff across these prestigious institutions.
Factors Contributing to the Staffing Shortage
- Competitive Remuneration: The remuneration for faculty positions in AIIMS is often lower compared to what is offered in the private sector, making it less appealing for many talented medical professionals [2][3].
- Lucrative Opportunities in the Private Sector: Many senior doctors are attracted to super-specialty clinical practices in corporate hospitals, which offer more lucrative opportunities than academic careers in AIIMS [3].
- Waning Appeal of Academic Careers: With the increasing commercialization of healthcare, the appeal of teaching and research in medical institutions has diminished for many professionals [3].
- Exodus of Senior Faculty: The departure of experienced faculty members to private hospitals further exacerbates the crisis, as they seek better compensation and working conditions [3].
Ongoing Initiatives to Address the Shortage
In an effort to address the staffing shortage, several initiatives have been undertaken:
- Standing Selection Committees: Each AIIMS has a standing selection committee to expedite the recruitment process for vacant positions [4][5].
- Contractual Appointments of Retired Faculty: The government allows the appointment of retired faculty members from Institutes of National Importance and government medical colleges on a contractual basis up to the age of 70. This helps fill immediate gaps in staffing [4][5].
- Visiting Faculty Scheme: A scheme to engage visiting faculty from Indian and foreign academic institutions has been introduced to support teaching in new AIIMS [4][5].
Across the newer institutes, many have non-teaching staff vacancy rates between 30-50%. To streamline hiring for these roles, the Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET) is being conducted, and a Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) is being held for Group B and C non-faculty roles [1].
While these initiatives aim to mitigate the shortage by increasing the pool of available faculty and improving the efficiency of the hiring process, addressing the root causes of the shortage, such as pay disparities and the appeal of private sector opportunities, remains a significant challenge.
Notes:
- AIIMS Conducts Tests Twice a Year, Establishes Selection Committees, and Streamlines Hiring for Non-Faculty Roles
- Low Pay Scales in AIIMS Lead to Staffing Shortage
- Attracting Talent to AIIMS: Challenges and Opportunities
- Initiatives to Address Staffing Shortage in AIIMS
- Contractual Appointments of Retired Faculty and Visiting Faculty Scheme in AIIMS
- To improve workplace wellness and address the staffing shortage at the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), initiatives have been implemented that focus on the recruitment of retired faculty members on a contractual basis, as well as the introduction of a visiting faculty scheme from both Indian and foreign academic institutions.
- In the realm of health and wellness, education, and self-development, it is crucial to address the underlying factors contributing to the staffing shortage at AIIMS, such as the need for competitive remuneration, a dwindling appeal of academic careers, and the allure of lucrative opportunities in the private sector, to ensure a sustainable solution for filling vacant faculty positions.
