Patna: The Medical Council of India (MCI) has threatened to de-recognise the postgraduate course in orthopaedics at Patna Medical College.

"The Postgraduate Medical Education Committee considered the Council Assessor's Report (9/6/2017) and decided to recommend not to renew the recognition of MS (Orthopaedics) qualification," says the MCI's letter to the Patna Medical College principal, dated November 9, 2017.

The letter cites 24 shortcomings, including no professor to teach the course though two posts are sanctioned. "There used to be a professor till 2014 and the post fell vacant after Dr Arjun Singh retired," said a senior doctor.

The letter points out that the number of beds in four of the department's five units is above the ceiling of 30, "which is not as per regulations".

The letter cites four operation tables in three operation theatres (OTs) when an OT cannot have more than one table, absence of equipment, no purchase of books by the department library in three years, and decline in number of major operations.

"Some health department officials are not allowing corrective steps," said JDU MLC Satish Kumar. He said a few other departments were under a similar cloud. A source confirmed that the gynaecology and ear, nose & throat courses are under the scanner.

Principal Vijay Kumar Gupta said he would seek a compliance report from the orthopaedics department and request the health department to do its bit. Health minister Mangal Pandey said corrective steps are being taken.