If reborn, I will lead AIIMS again: Venugopal

New Delhi, Jul 2: Delhi High Court on Wednesday, July 2 refused to extend the term of AIIMS Director P Venugopal while dismissing a petition filed by a patient's mother seeking his extension by six months.

Petitioner Meera Mishra moved the court seeking extension of Venu's retirement. Meera's nine-year-old son had a heart ailment and was under the treatment of Dr Venugopal, who retires on Wednesday, July 2. Hearing the petition, Justice G S Sistani observed, "this is a prompted petition and if you were concerned for the treatment of your child, then you would have approached us earlier". He also pointed out that there had been no precedence to extend Director's tenure just for one patient.

Meera submitted before the court her predicament over her son's incomplete treatment. According to her, one of the heart valves of her son was not working properly. Since Dr Venugopal had been treating him, his retirement mid way could cause waste of time and energy, she added. Although scheduled in January, the final treatment could not be done due to retirement, the petition mentioned.

The 66-year-old cardiac surgeon, whose tenure at AIIMS ends on Wednesday, July 2 said he has no regrets from his tenure. He wants to lead AIIMS if reborn again, he assured.

Following the AIIMS (amendment) Bill 2007, passed by Parliament in November last year, Dr Venugopal had to stay out of the office of Director before being reinstated by the Supreme Court on May 8.

UNI