Parl panel presses for accommodation for all doctors at AIIMS

The panel has asked the Health Ministry to take early action in this regard

Noting that several doctors and senior faculty members have not been provided accommodation at AIIMS, a parliamentary panel has urged the Health Ministry to accord priority to the issue.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has asked the Health Ministry to take early action in this regard.

The Committee noted that several doctors, senior faculty members and other staff have not been provided suitable accommodation.

It also noted with "concern" that substantial number of resident doctors, both senior and junior, are living outside the AIIMS premises.

"The Committee recommends that the Ministry should give priority to providing suitable accommodation to all doctors, faculty members and other staff and solve the problem with a sense of urgency. Early action may be taken in this regard," the Committee chaired by Satish Chandra Misra said in its report.

It also noted that rotation of headship of AIIMS' departments will ensure sharing of fresh ideas, endeavors and innovative thinking.

"The matter should be given a serious thought and a well-considered decision be arrived at after discussing the pros and cons with entire array of stakeholders," it said.

The Committee also said there are "loopholes" in the procurement process of equipment, consumables, materials, medicines among others.

"The departments should build abundant safeguards in the procurement process to check any instance of malpractice," it said.

About allied services, the Committee said it would like to know the exact reason for discontinuance of speech pathology and audiology programme at the institute.

Adequate steps should be taken to re-start the programme without any further delay as there is a huge demand and shortage of speech therapists and audiologist in the country, it said.

The Committee recommended that service conditions, pay scales and career opportunities of public relations personnel, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, audiologists and speech therapists be given a relook "so that their interest is not overlooked further".