AIIMS exodus: Manmohan calls Azad for meeting

It is learnt that the Prime Minister,who visited the institute for a check-up last Sunday,enquired into the issues faced by the doctors. The issues are likely to be discussed at the February 19 meeting. Azad is expected to give him a presentation on Valiathan Committee recommendations.

Health Secretary K Sujatha Rao is expected to visit AIIMS on Tuesday to take stock of the patient care services at the institute. Senior officials said AIIMS about 190 posts in the institute were lying vacant and as no recruitment has been done since 2005. During the last government,vacancy for about 100 posts was advertised. But the then health minister wanted these posts to be filled up only by OBC candidates. The matter has still not been decided,said a senior doctor on the condition of anonymity.

AIIMS currently has 435 faculty members and 500 junior and 500 senior residents. Many senior doctors said they would also leave if nothing is done to correct the working environment.

AIIMS Director Dr R C Deka said the administration was working to fill up the posts and that there was no need for panic. Even as senior doctors have left,the institute will not collapse. We will get new talented people to fill in, Deka said. He said the doctors were leaving for money. The doctors have all the reasons to make a choice. They are being paid heavily outside, he said.