AIIMS doctors, residents allege Health Ministry interference

New Delhi, June 15: As AIIMS Director P Venugopal threatened to resign due to ''systematic undermining of the institute'', doctors and students of the hospital today launched a signature campaign against the ''dilution'' of its autonomy by the Union Health Ministry.

The doctors and students demanded that Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss be removed as AIIMS President as he was interfering in the functioning of the hospital and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) take direct control of the institute.

Dr Ramadoss denied the charges and accused the AIIMS administration of not performing its duties well for the past two years.

''Everybody knows that the AIIMS administration is not doing its job well for the past two years,'' Dr Ramadoss said on a private television channel.

About Dr Venugopal's threat, the Health Minister said he is welcome to resign.

''If a person wants to resign he is free to do so. He should go ahead and not wait for others to stop him,'' he added.

The doctors and students alleged that the recent move of the Ministry to remove several senior functionaries, interference in day-to-day functioning of AIIMS and bypassing Dr Venugopal is a fallout of the anti-quota agitation.

Dr Ramadoss' order not to pay salaries to resident doctors, who were on strike for almost 18 days in May, is motivated by the same reason, they added.

They also demanded that AIIMS Dean Dr R C Deka be removed and Sub Dean Dr Neerja Bhatla, who was replaced by Dr Sunil Chumber, and spokesperson Dr Aarti Vij, who was replaced by Dr Shakti Gupta, be reinstated.

The doctors and students fear that the axe will next fall on Dr Venugopal, who allowed the medicos to run the agitation from AIIMS premises.

A senior AIIMS Faculty Association member told UNI that the signature campaign is undertaken to drum up support to stop ''encroachment'' on the institute's autonomy and maintain the world class standards of the hospital.

He said the Health Minister's order on salary was in violation of the Supreme Court order, which said once the strike was called off, punitive action will not be taken against the doctors.

''With this campaign we are expressing support to Dr Venugopal.

We want him to continue as AIIMS Director. The interference in the day-to-day functioning of the institute will not be tolerated,'' he said.

''This is a politically motivated action.... But we will not let that happen. This institute will not be reduced into a nothing by a handful of politicians,'' he added.

AIIMS Resident Doctors' Association President Binod Patra said the threat to the institute's autonomy is looming large and they will fight it.

''The students and resident doctors are with Dr Venugopal and will fight to maintain the sanctity of AIIMS,'' he added.

The Health Minister is AIIMS President and has the power to issue any order pertaining to the institute, including appointment of the Director and the Dean.

Earlier, Dr Venugopal, who is continuing as AIIMS director after retirement, addressed doctors, students and employees at the institute.

He said for the last two years the institute's functioning and autonomy were being undermined in a systematic and intentional manner.

The Director said he was ''disturbed'' by the lack of respect towards AIIMS faculty and students and it is his duty to protect and secure their legitimate rights.

''As the Director of this institution it is my duty to seek justice for AIIMS faculty and students... And I assure you that I will not fail in maintaining the autonomy of this world class institution,'' he added.

''I stand before you to seek your decision on maintaining the sanctity of this temple of learning.... I am ready to step down and let anyone of you to take over,'' Dr Venugopal, who took over as AIIMS Director in 2003, said.

Yesterday, the AIIMS Faculty Association had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed the alleged interference of the Health Minister in the functioning of the hospital.

UNI

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