Staff and faculty asked not to share new scientific data and research with public
Staff and faculty asked not to share new scientific data and research withu00a0 public
Knowledge is meant to be distributed. And if it comes from the country's premier medical institute, it's something worth waiting for. But in a surprising move that will deprive the general public of useful information, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), has decided to put a gag on its doctors and faculty - the Constitutional right to freedom of speech notwithstanding. 
The order is the fallout of a MiDDAY article on how AIIMS was trying to impose user charges for the treatments and the equipment to be used for the patients which are presently free of cost.
The institute in its recent letters has asked the doctors and the other head of the departments not to communicate with media on any issue, this includes passing on any kind of scientific data. The institute has formed a committee - Media co-ordination and Press Releases Committee - to look after the matter.
A bitter pill
According to the doctors, there are issues which aren't going down too well with other faculty members. So, in order to avoid more controversy, the institute has issued these instructions.
"The implementation of user charges by the institute has given rise to many controversies. As the issue was highlighted by the media, the institute is now forced to take back its decision," said a doctor who wished to remain anonymous.
Shut it out
"It is notified for information that no faculty member may speak to media on scientific data/ new information before the same is made available to the Dean (Academic) and Dean (Research) or Director for permission to be released to the press, if such a knowledge (new one) has any public use/ impact. Any new data is to be ordinarily published in a scientific journal first and only after such publications, a "Press Release" may be considered through the spokesperson of the Institute", the letter says.
The institution has also put a restriction on making any joint representations by the doctors, members or other employees of the institute. The doctors and other members are not too happy about the decision and are making no bones about it.
"Every educational institute is allowed to speak on scientific matters and AIIMS is the country's leading medical institute. The faculty members and doctors should not be treated like this," said a senior doctor on condition of anonymity.
"If the faculty at AIIMS will not speak on public issues, then to whom will the public turn? The institute has the best doctors from all over the country, so they should definitely share their issues and knowledge with the public," he added. Meanwhile, the Director of the institute, Dr RC Deka, did not respond to calls and messages.
ADVERTISEMENT
| The after effect |
| MiD DAY had earlier reported how AIIMS was trying to impose user charges for treatment and the equipment to be used by the patients which are presently free. "We have received a letter from the financial advisor to give all details about equipment and procedures. We have to give them information on the charges as soon as possible," said a senior doctor on the condition of anonymity. Many services in the hospital are offered free of cost, except a few radiological tests and few highly specialised procedures. Paid tests include colour X-ray, ultrasound and CT scan. Also, several surgical procedures cost virtually nothing. Patients only need to pay when any equipment or medicine is brought from outside. Some of the organisations such as AIIMS Front for Social Consciousness (AFFSC) and Progressive Medicos and Scientist Forum (PMSF) have been fighting against the institute commercialising healthcare. "In the name of rationalising charges, the attempt of the government is to turn healthcare into just another business. We stopped them from imposing user charges in 2005 and we will do it again," said a member of PMSF. |
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
