Hyderabad, June 19 -- The Director of Medical Education has ordered the deputation of 180 doctors from Osmania, Gandhi and NIMS hospitals to the Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS) in Sanathnagar, triggering concern over staff shortages at the three premier government hospitals just as the new facility prepares to open.

The DME order covers 98 professors and assistant professors, along with 82 senior residents, all to be moved to TIMS without any fresh recruitment for the new hospital. The doctors were relieved from their parent institutions on June 18 and directed to report for duty at TIMS by the morning of June 19.

Medical circles have warned that pulling specialists away from Osmania, Gandhi and NIMS risks badly disruptin...