Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 30: It has been three years since postgraduate classes were taken at Abhin Chandra Homoeopathy College and Hospital here due to a manpower crunch, and the possibility of even undergraduate classes going the same way from the next academic session seems to be the last straw for this age-old homoeopathy college.
Sources said the homoeopathy college and hospital is in a sorry state for a long time, with various steps taken by the administration to set things right ultimately falling flat.
Principal Surya Narayan Misro told Orissa POST they have apprised health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak of the problems during his surprise visit to the institute in October. The minister had then assured full support to the college.
“The major problem the institute faces is a grossly inadequate teaching staff. Against the sanctioned strength of 36 teaching faculty, there are only eight now with which running an institution like this is quite impossible,” Misro said.
The health minister proposed appointment of contractual teaching staff to get day-to-day academic activities of the institute back on track, but the existing faculty members expressed their scepticism with the move.
“Appointing contractual staff will not be a good idea as the remuneration given by the state government is very low. The recruitment drive will either fail or the people who joined will soon quit their jobs,” said a senior faculty member.
Students say they face a bleak future. “The PG classes have been closed, and now the undergraduate classes are also not being held. The administration should act fast to save this institution. Our future seems to be in danger right now,” said a student seeking anonymity.