DOCS PROTEST AT CANCER HOSPITAL

Senior scientists, doctors and officials of the research and development wing in Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital protested on Thursday morning demanding that that they be paid their fellowship amounts. They wanted the account statements to be submitted to the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Dr V.V.T.S. Prasad, head of the research and development wing, said that institute had got a grant of `50 lakh and `30 lakh for research into oral and cervical cancer. “Every year before March we have to send the scientific report and also the financial statement to the department of science and technology and ICMR. But the hospital is not willing to release the financial statement which will put the research at stake. I have submitted the scientific papers to the department to ensure that there is no lapse,” he said.

The fellowship amounts of three scientists had not been released. These scientists along with the other staff demanded their full payment.

Cancer tissues from patients are needed for research, These are obtained by the doctors at the hospital. But they are not giving the tissues, which has led to acrimony between the doctors and the researchers.

Hospital officials stated that they had suspended Dr Prasad on February 15 and taken disciplinary action against him for not following rules and regulations. Dr Prasad had filed a complaint of harassment against the hospital with the human rights commission and had also moved the High Court against the order of suspension.