AIIMS, PGIMER faculties to hold peaceful march to Parl

Faculty members from two of India’s leading medical institutions — AIIMS, Delhi, and PGIMER, Chandigarh — are set to stage a peaceful march to Parliament on August 1, calling for the prompt implementation of the rotatory headship policy.

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As per a joint statement released on Saturday by the Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIMS) and the Faculty Association of PGIMER (FA-PGIMER), the march will begin at 5 pm from Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Auditorium.

The rotatory headship policy, introduced by the Union Health Ministry in July 2023, is designed to promote decentralisation of authority and provide equal leadership roles to faculty members.

The faculty bodies claim that the policy has not yet been enforced, even after two academic cycles.

“Despite clear instructions, no steps have been taken in two academic sessions, which has affected morale, governance, and the standing of these premier institutions,” a statement issued in this regard read. Faculty members have been calling for the implementation of the policy for over three months through various non-disruptive means.

These include wearing black badges in May, a relay hunger strike campaign since June under the banners of “Hunger for Justice” and “Relay for Change”, and a symbolic protest on National Doctors’ Day, marked by black attire.

“There has been no acknowledgment or action from the authorities, compelling us to escalate our efforts with this peaceful march,” the statement added.

The faculty associations highlighted that several top institutions — including Harvard, Oxford, IITs, IIMs, NIMHANS, and JIPMER —followed a rotatory headship structure.

A formal notification by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare — dated July 18, 2023 — had recommended the policy’s implementation by June-July 2024. The reform was also endorsed by an expert committee chaired by Dr VK Paul, a member of NITI Aayog.

Stressing the peaceful nature of the march, the associations said they had already sought permission from police authorities in this regard, and would comply with all security regulations.

“The faculty associations of AIIMS and PGIMER stand together in this effort — not only for faculty rights, but also to uphold institutional democracy, academic standards, and excellence in healthcare and education,” the statement read.