Special committee proposes four dean posts at AIIMS

A special committee formed under the Union health ministry has proposed the creation of four posts for deans at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Jaya Shroff Bhalla reports.

A special committee formed under the Union health ministry has proposed the creation of four posts for deans at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). This, they say, will streamline the functioning of country’s premier medical institute.

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A high-powered committee — comprising of three directors of the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), director Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad—under the chairmanship of the Union health secretary have recommended the existing single dean post be replaced by four dean positions to displace power so far vested in the hands of a single person.

So far, AIIMS has a single dean post chaired by Dr Rani Kumar. The special committee was formed to look into the recommendations of the Valiathan committee recommendations of 2006. The Valiathan committee had made recommendations to turn the premier institution into a centre of excellence and a leader in public health.

If the proposal to create four dean posts is cleared, then AIIMS will have separate deans for exam, student welfare, administration and research.

“This is a good idea as there is a lot of power vested in the hands of a single person at this time. Distributing power will only help improve the functioning of various department, each of which is important and needs a lot of attention,” said a health ministry official, willing to be quoted as he is unauthorised to speak to the media.

While some faculty members are happy with the proposal some think this will not work.

“Even Dr P Venugopal, former AIIMS director had used discretionary powers to create three dean positions but they were diluted post his retirement. This will only give rise to more confusion,” said a doctor at AIIMS.