Ramadoss tampering with autonomy of AIIMS: fmr faculty members

New Delhi, July 6 (UNI) Former faculty members of the AIIMS today condemned dismissal of Director P Venugopal and accused Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss of tampering with the autonomy of the premier institute.

Dr Sneh Bhargava, a former faculty member regretted the controversial decision of Dr Ramadoss, saying the Padma Bhushan awardee was ''summarily, shabbily and shamelessly relieved of his duties to satisfy the ego of another man whose association with the AIIMS is not more than two years while Dr Venugopal had dedicated 48 years to the institute''.

''We, the former faculty of AIIMS are deeply distressed at the public mud slinging going on with reference to the contributions of the AIIMS which is the symbol of excellence,'' a statement by the the former faculty members said.

She accused the Health Minister of having premeditated plans to destroy the institution and make Dr Venugopal a scape goat after having tampered with the autonomy of the Medical council of India and the National Board of Examinations.

''This is Dr Ramadoss', who unfortunately by training is a medical doctor, bereft of compassion for patients, intolerant to the views put forward by chiefs of autonomous organisation who by government rules fall under the Ministry of Health. The contrast between arrogance and devotion of the two have to be noted if one is to assess why what happened yesterday did happen,'' Dr Bhargava added.

Dr Bhargava and several illuminaries of the AIIMS said the criticism that directors of the institute did not contribute to patient care, teaching and research had ''no legs to stand on.'' The role of the Director is to provide leadership in all the spheres, while the role of the Minister is to provide guidance. We are thankful and respect the role that successive ministers have provided and hope that the prestige of the AIIMS can still be restored if the proper guidance is provided today,'' they aded.

However, they expressed apprehensions that if the current environment to promote divisive tendencies in the faculty continued, the careers of young bright current faculty and future generations will be doomed.

The institute figures among the top 50 science institutions in the country. It stands at fourth position among the eight scientific institutes in the category of high output and high volumes.

UNI MCN/KAS AK KP1958