The state government appointed Prof (Dr) Kaustav Nayek, principal of state-run Burdwan Medical College Hospital and a paediatrician, as the director of medical education (DME).
The health department, headed by the chief minister Mamata Banerjee issued a notification in this regard today.
With retirement of former DME Prof (Dr) Debashis Bhattacharya several months ago the state government had appointed Dr A Neogy, a retired senior official in the health department, as an acting DME.
On Tuesday, an interview was held at Swasthya Bhaban, health department headquarters at Salt Lake, for final selection of a candidate for the portfolio of the DME, who looks after medical education affairs in teaching hospitals across the state.
Prof Nayek was selected for the DME post.
A section of senior officials in the state medical education service (MES) felt that the state government wants to improve paediatric healthcare in the state by bringing down infant mortality rate across districts and the city.
Considering Prof Nayek’s experience as a paediatrician, Nabanna, state secretariat, appointed him as the DME, the officials said.
On the other hand, many government doctors belonging to the West Bengal Democratic Doctors Forum have protested against the appointment of Prof Nayek as DME.
The health department has ignored eligibility criteria of other experienced candidates in the interview process to make Prof Nayek the DME, they alleged.
Principals, including Prof Nayek of six state-run medical colleges and one former vice-chancellor of the West Bengal University of Health Sciences appeared in the interview held on Tuesday.