Dr Ajay Keoliya, Dean of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMC&H), the most sensitive medical college of the region is from Forensic Science Department. Being an alumnus of IGGMC&H itself, he naturally knows core issues of the institute which he is trying to resolve.

 

 

Recently, IGGMC&H faced an inspection by Medical Council of India (MCI) for the increased Post-Graduate (PG) seats in three of its departments -- Microbiology, PSM and Pharmacology. The Institute is expecting 72 additional PG seats.

 

 

When he took the charge as Dean of IGGMC&H a year ago, Dr Keoliya did not have much in his mind. But in due course, whatever came before him, he gave it the needed momentum. Dr Keoliya gives credit of every success to his team at IGGMC&H, Director and Health Minister. During a talk with ‘The Hitavada’, Dr Keoliya spoke openly on the plans and developments that took place in IGGMC&H. Excerpts:

 

Q: What plans did you have when you took charge as Dean of IGGMC&H?

A: I do not have many things in my mind to be done at this institution. Some projects were in the pipeline as Dr Prakash Wakode, the previous Dean and now Joint Director had initiated several works. I just took those things forward. At government level also the Medical Education Department was taking pains to improve facilities. I along with my team at IGGMCH endeavoured for the faster pace of the works. My focus is on team-building. When the team is built, it helps an institute to grow. Whenever my tenure would come to an end, my team would work under new Dean with the same dedication.

 

 

Q: Several things at Government level took place like increase in number seats at Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate levels so how you cope with those additional responsibilities?

A: IGGMC&H had been facing the problem of intake for so many years. Previous Government brought a rule where it had decided to increase 50 seats of those medical colleges that have completed 10 years with 100 or 150 intake. Intake at IGGMC&H became a medical college with 150 intake and several facilities matching it were incorporated. Now, 50 more seats have been added as Maharashtra Government increased 1,000 more medical seats. I don’t have to cope with any kind of load. Everything is streamlined by the Government. I had already told, I am taking forward whatever responsibilities bestowed upon me.

 

 

Q: How did you manage the problems of dirt that were the usual picture of IGGMC&H or old buildings?

A: I attribute the credit to my team. The team includes doctors and paramedical staff. All came together and we resolved the problem of garbage accumulation in the premises. Now, one can hardy get to see garbage in IGGMC&H premises. We try to keep the campus as clean as possible. Some cleaning we get it done by outsourcing. We encourage people to use dustbins. This helps to keep the premises clean.

 

 

Q: There are some old buildings in the premises. Whether the issue of maintaining those arises?

A: There are some old constructions in the premises of the institute. The maintenance of those is the biggest problem. I made a proper planning and gradually brought a system because of which the maintenance issue got resolved. Construction of administrative building is our advantage.

 

 

Q: What was your main concern regarding students and how did you resolve?

A: Nowadays medical colleges are facing very peculiar problem of absenteeism of students to classes. It was my major concern. I made it a point that lectures should be held regularly and students should attend those scrupulously. I focused on it. I did not take any harsh step. I handled it in a smooth manner and now classes are held regularly with quite a good attendance.

 

 

Q: The surgical complex when came in IGGMCH it was admired as it is much better than what any good private hospital has? It suddenly suffered a problem with some of the Operation Theaters stopped functioning?

A: Yes. You are right. The problem is too much technical. We along with our team, Dr Sandhya Manjrekar from Public Works Department everybody is playing their role in a proper manner. But we failed to find the solution. Of course we did not lose hopes and soon all the Operation Theatres would start functioning. We are taking hard efforts for it.