AIIMS controversy should not be politcised: Ramadoss

Chennai, June 16: Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss today said the controversy over the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) need not be politicised as it was an internal issue, and promised to settle it soon.

'It's an internal matter of the institute, something which need not be politicised. I will be settling it soon after I reach Delhi on Monday', he said, talking to the media on the sidelines of the inauguration of the fourth International Conference and Live Workshop on Urogynaecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery here.

On the resignation threat by AIIMS Director Dr P Venugopal, who was apparently upset over alleged interference by the Minister in the internal activities of AIIMS, Dr Anbumani said by an Act of Parliament he was the President of the Institution.

'But I am not interfering in the day-to-day affairs of the AIIMS.

The administration has not been proper for the past two years. I took some steps to set it right', he added.

Accusing Dr Venugopal of having kindled the reservation issue and this issue too, Dr Anbumani said acton would be taken against him.

Accusing certain AIIMS doctors of converting the prestigious institution into a 'political hub', he warned of action against them. 'A handful of doctors of AIIMS are converting the institution of world repute into a ''political hub'' rather than letting it remain a ''medical hub'' and action will be taken against them.

To a question on outbreak of Chikungunya in Tamil Nadu, he said the State was taking all steps to create awareness and prevent the disease from spreading. 'No vaccine is available for treatment of the disease. A team from New Delhi is in the city to study it.'

UNI