Safdarjung MS removed

Additional Medical Superintendent Dr K T Bhowmik,a senior consultant in the radiotherapy department,will “temporarily” take charge from Dr Prasad at the Safdarjung Hospital,it was announced. Dr V K Sharma,vice-principal of Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College,will take over as the hospital medical college’s chief from Monday,Health ministry officials said.

“All cases of mismanagement and corruption have been referred to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC),while temporary arrangements have been made to take care of the responsibilities of the medical superintendent and principal,” a senior official in the ministry said.

The official said the ministry was yet to initiate disciplinary action against the high-ranking doctor. “An inquiry has been started and we will initiate disciplinary action only after it has been completed,” the official said. “Dr Prasad has not been suspended — we have just called him back to headquarters,” said the source.

Dr Prasad will continue in his post as the additional director general at the Health ministry,the official added.

Incidentally,Dr Prasad’s replacement Dr Bhowmik is himself under the CVC scanner for misapplication of funds meant for cancer drugs. The matter is being investigated by Dr Shiv Lal,additional director general with the Health ministry. “Faculty members will oppose the decision to appoint Dr Bhowmik,” a senior professor said.

On August 28,the police registered a case under IPC Sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (breach of trust) and 36 (criminal act done by several persons with common intention) against Dr Prasad and his relative,one Virender,who had allegedly mediated the deal. Virender is absconding.

Minister at AIIMS: Pick service over money
Asking doctors to opt for “service” over “money”,Union Health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday appealed to faculty members of AIIMS to not be tempted by high-paying offers in the private sector as they did not give any “job satisfaction”.

“As the health minister,both private and public sector are the same for me,” Azad said. “But as the president of AIIMS I will ask the doctors to not leave. One can choose between money and service: some choose big money and less satisfaction,while others choose less money over satisfaction. I think in the medical profession one should go for more satisfaction.”

Azad was speaking on the occasion of AIIMS’s 54th Institute Day.

He said the premier institute’s status as a referral centre had to be maintained to improve quality of health services. Azad also said the DDA has agreed to give land for the institute’s redevelopment plans. — ENS