Aadil Ishtiyaq
Srinagar, May 29: Some unscrupulous doctors with vested interest have converted SKIMS into a mudslinging arena which has often marred its functioning and impacted healthcare.
A senior doctor on condition of anonymity said that some faculty members whose interests have been severely hit with the ban imposed on the menace of private practice by the J&K administration have started a campaign of mudslinging against Director A G Ahangar.
“The incumbent director Pro A G Ahanger implemented the ban in letter and spirit so that the patient care at SKIMS doesn’t suffer. However, these doctors and faculty members have drawn their daggers to target him,” hesaid.
A middle-rung doctor, who didn’t want to be named either said Prof Ahanger has improved the standard of accountability and transparency at SKIMS because of which he has “made many enemies.”
“The government should investigate all the senior faculty of various departments of SKIMS and their properties to find out the source of their ill-gotten money. If Prof Ahanger is corrupt, let the government investigate him as well to find out the truth,” the doctor said.
Insiders said these faculty members continue to enjoy all the facilities and perks including allowances but they want to continue their private practice as well which affects patient care at the institute.
“These people have amassed huge wealth and properties not just in J&K but outside and abroad as well. They have made fortunes while patients suffered for the want of better care,” sources said.
They said the role of Prof Ahanger has been being hailed by the government of Jammu and Kashmir including by LG Manoj Sinha and the government of India for his efforts to control the Covid-19.
“He has given new direction to SKIMS and works hard to push the institute towards a pinnacle of success. It was under his leadership that many projects at SKIMS that were languishing for several years have been completed,” he said.
Many doctors also hailed the role of Prof Ahanger in ensuring that senior faculty is available for patients at the time of their need, “Now we see them (senior faculty) visiting patients wards which was rarely the case earlier,” said another doctor.
