AIIMS doctors up in arms against management

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) Doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) today alleged that the management was trying to cover up the ''actual'' reason for the exodus of doctors to private hospitals and suppress the growing discontent against the authorities.

They claimed that senior doctors were leaving the premier institution due to the ''complete dissatisfaction'' with the functioning of the management.

''There is complete dissatisfaction against the autocratic functioning of the management. The main issue like user charges are being scuttled under the garb of doctors leaving for more money,'' a senior doctor in the Department of Medicine said.

''Favouritism and nepotism are the order of the day at the institution,'' he added.

A doctor, in the cardiology department, said money was the incentive only for some top doctors who were nearing their retirement.

''For the middle rung doctors a good designation at the prestigious institution like AIIMS would be an attractive deal,'' he explained.

In the past three years about 25 doctors have left the institution, he claimed.

When contacted, AIIMS authorities were not available for comment.

Four top doctors, including head of neurosurgery V S Mehta, have recently resigned from AIIMS.

Prof of medicine Anoop Misra, head of surgery S N Mehta, Dr Sandeep Vaishya, assistant professor of neurosurgery, and Dr Mehta have put in their papers to join private hospitals.

''I am joining Paras Hospital as director of neurosurgery from April 1,'' Dr V S Mehta said.

He said he had put in his papers on January 2 and was finishing his notice period now.

Asked why he had resigned, Dr V S Mehta said,''there are several reasons. Since I am still at AIIMS I would not like to comment on the issue now,'' he added.

While Dr Misra is joining Fortis as director of diabetes and metabolism, Dr S N Mehta will join Apollo Hospital as senior consultant and kidney specialist. Dr Vaishya will join Max Healthcare.

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