Ramadoss takes AIIMS head-on, blocks funds

STARVED: Many development work in AIIMS have not been completed due to lack of funds.

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New Delhi: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on a warpath once again.

Ramadoss has now been accused of choking AIIMS by blocking funds, which has stopped construction work of new centers.

A Rajya Sabha Parliament Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has also pulled up the Health Ministry for not releasing development funds to AIIMS.

Of the allocated Rs 205 crore in the previous fiscal, the Health Ministry released only Rs 100 crore.

The Health Secretary told the committee that funds weren't released because AIIMS didn't submit utilisation certificates but it is a charge that is denied by AIIMS.

"This financial year AIIMS wasn't able to spend nearly 120 crore. I have assured them whatever funds they want, we are going to give them. Let them first spend it. They also need to provide utilisation certificates," Ramadoss says.

On the other hands, AIIMS sources insist that funds weren't used up because the minister himself blocked the construction of several projects.

The Expenditure and Financial Committee had proposed in January 2007 that the hospital badly needed:

• 1) Mother and Child Centre
• 2) Surgical Block
• 3) Hostel towers for resident doctors and faculty

Even the hospital administration toed the minister's line.

"We have been assured by the health secretary as well as the health Minister that whatever is the proper amount required for the proper functioning of the institute will be released," Dr DK Sharma, Medical Superintendent, says.

But the doctors are disappointed.

"There is 10-month waiting period before any resident can get hostel accommodation. It's a three-year residency and for almost half the time we're living out of the campus," Dr Kumar Harsh, President, Resident Doctor's Association, reveals.

Interestingly, the financial advisor to AIIMS who defended the hospital in the committee has been transferred out to another department.

In the circular issued by the Health Ministry on March 17, it was stated that the chief accountant of the Health Ministry would be taking over the duties and responsibilities of the senior financial advisor of AIIMS.

Doctors feel that this is an attempt by the ministry to further tighten its noose around the premier medical institution.