Ophthalmologist to treat cancer in AIIMS….May God Bless Patients!

All India Institute of Medical Science has appointed a doctor who is Ophthalmologist and has vast research on eye diseases in the post of Assistant Professor in the Department of Preventive Oncology (Cancer).

If nation’s premier health institute AIIMS has made such mistake, it needs our serious attention to contemplate the decision. The decision made by AIIMS has created lot controversy. All India Institute of Medical Science has appointed a doctor who is Ophthalmologist and has vast research on eye diseases in the post of Assistant Professor in the Department of Preventive Oncology (Cancer). Also, there has been a case of irregularity in appointment in the other three departments, where the same doctor has been appointed for both these places of AIIMS Cancer Center and National Cancer Institute (NCI). However, the decision has been shrouded in controversy and the doctors are questioning the appointment process of AIIMS.

 Dr. Pallavi Shukla has distinction in community medicine, public health and ophthalmology. She has also some research papers in her credit. She has done research on ‘Effect of short term cigarettes smoking on insulin resistance and lipid profile in asymtomatic adults’.  The other topic of her research includes ‘Perception of sex workers of Lucknow City (Uttar Pradesh), India towards sexually transmitted infection’ and ‘ Predictors of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Female Sex Workers (FSWs) in a City of Norther India’. She has even done research for the benefit of diabetic patients in relation to retionopathy.

But, the credit may go to Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director (AIIMS), that Pallavi Shukla has been selected for treating cancer patients in AIIMS. She has been appointed in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital associated with AIIMS.

Harikrishna Raju Sagiraju is MD, MPH, PHD and has published several research papers such as ‘The prevalence and risk factors of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among workers injured in Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh’, ‘The Department of Defence epidemiology and economic burden of hearing loss study’, ‘Malignant myelomatous pleural effusion with good response to combination chemotherapy’, ‘Prevalence and risk factors of depression among garment workers in Bangladesh’ and several others.

And, surprisingly, he will treat the cancer patients in the National Cancer Institute located in Jhajjar (Punjab).

While asking for comment, the AIIMS administration has maintained silence on the issue. (With Inputs From Jagran and Hindusthan)