AIIMS Director Venugopal resumes duty

New Delhi, June 24 (UNI) AIIMS Director P Venugopal, who had proceed on leave more than a week ago after threatening to resign, resumed duty today.

Sources close to the Director said the Dr Venugopal attended to patients in the ICU and went about his ''routine work''.

Dr Venugopal had gone on leave from June 16, a day after he accused Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss of ''systematic dilution of the institutes autonomy and the director's authority'' and threatened to resign.

He had also called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the same day and apprised him of the situation at AIIMS.

The Health Ministry, bypassing the Director, had directly ordered appointment and transfers of some senior hospital functionaries.

On June 21, the Health Ministry issued a notice to Dr Venugopal, seeking an explanation for going public on issues relating to the functioning of the premier institute.

Dr Ramadoss, who also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had said the Health Secretary would do the follow up action.

The AIIMS Director had alleged ''interference'' in day-to-day working of AIIMS and ''undermining'' of his authority by the Health Minister.

The Director had said he was ''disturbed'' by the lack of respect towards AIIMS faculty, staff 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.

A section of Doctors and students of the hospital had supported Dr Venugopal.

They demanded that Dr Ramadoss be removed as AIIMS President and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) take direct control of the institute.

They 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 was 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, directly appointed by the Health Minister, 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. UNI NR VD VC1629