There is a need for set criteria and more transparency: Prof TD Yadav

I am humbled by the faith shown by our esteemed faculty. I feel the most important reason I was given another chance is that I never worked for any one individual. We raised our voices for more infrastructure and basic facilities for the faculty.

The most important issue we raised last year was the upgrade of the existing operation theater and the creation of a new OT complex. We also managed to get functions sanctioned for the Institute.

What are the issues you will work upon this time?

The most important issue we will take up this year is improving patient care. We have also identified other areas where we have to work. One is that there should be set criteria for the promotion and selection of the faculty. Another issue is getting regular appointments done.

You talked about patient care. The number of patients is increasing each day. What are your plans to manage them?

Fixing patient and doctor ratio is much needed at the Institute. Not only the faculty, but patients also understand how the increase in number is giving a tough time to everyone. For a doctor, it is humanly not possible to see 200 patients a day.

How will fixing the doctor-patient ratio improve the system at PGI?

If we manage to do that, it will help our society because we will be able to serve patients properly. We need to conduct investigations and check patients. A minimum of 5-10 minutes is required for a faculty member to see a patient. But, currently, you may not even get one minute to see a patient.

The same situation is in PGI emergency as well.

Yes, in emergency, there is an uncontrolled crowd. We have to do something about the trolley system. There is a need to cap the numbers. I don’t think everyone who comes to PGI requires treatment here; they can be managed easily in government hospitals. It needs a joint effort of the states. To my mind, PGI is in a very difficult situation because the infrastructure is still the same, but the numbers are increasing.

Do you think the administration has done enough to address this issue?

Till date, I don’t think proper steps have been taken. Sincere thinking is required. I am just hoping that the next administrator who will come to PGI will look into these issues.

The PGI administration talks about opening new centres. What is your opinion?

Yes, that will benefit people. But the condition of the old hospital has to be improved. The majority of people come to Nehru hospital. Everybody is thinking of making new centres, but we have to improve here.

There are research papers coming from PGI. But no path-breaking research has been done so far.

Yes, in research paper publications, PGI is at par with national Institutes. The administration should look into path-breaking research coming from PGI. This is one of the areas which requires strengthening.

What is causing inconvenience to the people who visit the PGI?

The queue system causes inconvenience to the public. There is no sufficient space for people to stay. In winter people have to spend nights out in the open with a blanket. Also, many people are poor and they face inconvenience in finding a room in the OPD. They spend time just finding rooms of the doctors. These are the areas which need improvement.

Controversy has erupted over the selection of PGI Director. The health secretary too said that no selection criteria exist to select the prestigious post. How do you see it?

When we go for the interview as a professor, they grill us for more than 40 minutes. They ask questions, they check papers. The PGI Director has to be honest and sincere, visionary and magnanimous. They have to think about the Institute and not just individuals. It is demoralising for the PGI professors and especially the senior professors who were called by the ministry and were asked to present their views in five slides…there is a need for set criteria and more transparency. Another aspect is seniority for the post. How will people listen if a junior person is given the top post?

What is the next course of action for this matter by the association ?

We are listening to the comments of the faculty. We are doing a first Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday and we will discuss it. We have already received communication from the seniors to discuss the issue. Whatever decision the EC takes, we will take up with the health ministry and the administration as well.