The Health Department has proposed to create four new posts of Regional Directors of Medical Education (DME) and Research. The posts will be co-located at the Government Chengalpattu Medical College, Government Coimbatore Medical College, KAP Viswanatham Government Medical College in Tiruchi, and Madurai Medical College.
Additionally, the creation of an Additional DME (Research) post at the directorate in Chennai has also been proposed for coordinating and strengthening research activities, a recent official communication from the Directorate of Medical Education and Research said.
Till now, there has been one DME in Chennai. According to the official communication, at a meeting convened in the Secretariat in September and chaired by the Health Secretary, it was decided that four new posts of Regional DMEs and an Additional DME (Research) would be created with additional ministerial staff posts.
A proposal has been sent to the government for the creation of the proposed posts. The directorate requested the deans to identify 800 to 1,200 sq.ft of vacant space within the existing college/hospital buildings to accommodate the office of the Regional DME, along with the ministerial and supportive staff. It sought detailed estimates for the works, including renovation of the building, not exceeding ₹50 lakh.
The Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association, in a letter to the Health Secretary, said the continuing expansion of undergraduate, postgraduate, and super speciality medical education, increasing regulatory requirements of the National Medical Commission, expansion of teaching hospitals and faculty, and manpower requirements, promotion and transfer counselling, and the rapid growth of allied health sciences had considerably increased the responsibilities of the directorate.
“The government wants to create four Regional DMEs, since the DME is unable to visit all 38 medical college hospitals currently. During a recent meeting, we agreed to the government’s proposal to create four Regional DMEs as it was promised that this will be a promotional post after the post of dean. However, we have put forward the need to grant additional powers for the DME. Right now, the supervisory role of the director is being split for the Regional DMEs. The DME should be granted financial autonomy and powers to approve the promotion panels,” A. Ramalingam, State general secretary, SDPGA, said.
Published - October 25, 2026 12:16 am IST