‘What is your vision for PGI?’ panel asks aspiring directors

According to sources,at the end of the interview the Sub-Committee shortlisted four names and forwarded these to the Selection Committee. These names will further be sent to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC),which will take the final call on Talwar’s successor.

According to sources,out of the 24 candidates who were to come for the personal interviews that began at 8:30 in the morning,only 18 appeared. The six absentees included three from PGI — Dr B Sakhuja,head of the department of nephrology; Dr P Kulhara,head of psychiatry; and Dr Subhash Verma,head of internal medicine.

Interestingly,those who appeared before the interview panel told Newsline that most of the candidates were asked questions pertaining to their vision about the premier institute and not about knowledge of his/ her field. According to a senior PGI doctor,the interviews began in the morning and continued till about 5:30 in the afternoon,with each candidates given 20 minutes to half an hour to present his candidature in the best way possible.

Sources claimed that each candidate was also asked to bring in a vision document for PGI. The candidates were asked questions on their vision of how to take medical research at PGIMER to a higher level,what they think about taking the hospital forward in terms of facilities which are provided to the patients.

One of the candidates also told Newsline that the interview panel showed more interest in knowing the candidate’s administrative skills and determination to take the institute a higher level than his knowledge in the field of medical science.

The Sub-Committee was formed at the last meeting of the eight-member Selection Committee held on April 1. The Selection Committee was formed earlier by the Health Minister to search for the new PGI director.