The Directorate of Medical Education ensures the smooth functioning of all medical colleges and attached teaching hospitals, nursing schools and nursing colleges.
The main functions and services of the Directorate are:
- To provide Specialist Medical Care and medical facilities to people through hospitals.
- To impart quality Medical Education to undergraduates, P. G. and Super Speciality post graduates through Medical Colleges and Teaching hospitals.
- To provide training in para-medical courses like nursing and medical and laboratory technology, etc. through Medical Colleges and Teaching Hospitals
The present department of Medical Education was originally called Department of Medical Services with its origin in composite Madras State under British India. It continued, as such, till Andhra State was formed on 01. 11. 53 with 11 districts from the former Madras State.
The present Directorate of Medical Education was created in the year 1987, after many changes that took place from 1967 to 1987. Full-fledged functioning of the department started from 29. 9. 1987.
Under Act 6 of 1986 - University of Health Sciences Act 1986, NTR University of Health Sciences was established at Vijayawada to provide for the establishment and incorporation of a Teaching and Affiliating University in the State of Andhra Pradesh for the purposes of ensuring efficient and systematic education, trainee and Research on the Allopathic and Indian systems of Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing. Hence the Academic activities earlier under D. M. E. were transferred to NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada, from 1986 onwards.
As the delivery of Medical Care depends very much on proper staffing, the Government after considering the recommendations of various high level Committees such as Bhore Committee, Mudaliar Committee, Working Groups of Planning Commission and Indian Medical Council, prescribed revised yardsticks of staffing pattern of the teaching hospitals, Speciality and Medical Colleges in G. O. Ps. No. 88, M & H, Dated 27. 8. 1977 as per which the cadre strength of Medical, Nursing and para-medical now exists in the teaching hospitals and Medical Colleges. The pattern of Teaching Staff in Medical Colleges and attached Teaching Hospitals in the State is modified as per Medical Council of India Regulations 1999 and upgraded as per the new amendments of MCI.