Chennai: The National Medical Commission (NMC), during a recent inspection to assess the recognition status of Tamil Nadu's government medical colleges, identified deficiencies in 36 institutions. As a result, show-cause notices were issued to the concerned colleges.

Following the notices, the principals of these institutions submitted individual explanations promising to address the shortcomings. Based on these assurances, the NMC granted conditional approval to 25 of the colleges.

However, the Commission sought a personal explanation from the Public Health Secretary and the Director of Medical Education regarding faculty shortages in 11 other colleges. The two officials responded with an action plan to fill the vacancies and provided the necessary justification, after which the NMC extended conditional approval to these institutions as well.

The NMC has given all 36 colleges a four-month window to rectify the identified issues. A follow-up inspection will be conducted thereafter, and the Commission has warned that strict action will follow if deficiencies persist.

In response, Director of Medical Education Dr. Theranirajan has issued a circular to all government medical colleges, instructing that at least 75% attendance must be maintained while granting leave to professors and doctors. He has also asked institutions to submit updated attendance records regularly.