AIIMS stops key tests over funding row

AIIMS sources said crucial tests such as serological investigation for HIV,polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to amplify DNA sequences of patients (required for several genetic diseases and transplant patients),and viral marker tests to confirm hepatitis types (B,C and E) have been stopped,when as equipment in the laboratory were lying unused.

“The institute used to spend money from a revolving fund to conduct the tests. It’s basically a pool of revenue,accumulated over a 10-year period,from the fee that patients pay for treatment. However,there were allegations that it was unethical to charge patients for tests and treatment. This forced the administration to order an inquiry,” a senior faculty member said.

The administration declared,based on the inquiry report that was submitted early this year,that the funding amounted to “money laundering” and the tests should be free for patients.

As the deadlock continued,AIIMS doctors requested Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to intervene and restart the tests.

In January this year,AIIMS Director Dr R C Deka approved separate funds to conduct the tests,pending an administrative decision. After two reminders,a proposal of Rs 1.3 crore was worked out only last week,but the final decision was still awaited.

When his opinion was sought,AIIMS spokesperson Dr Y K Gupta asked Newsline to speak to Dr A K Mukhopadhyay,Head of Department of Laboratory Medicine. There’s a gag order in the institute,but Dr Mukhopadhyay was allowed to speak in this particular case.

He said a centralised advanced diagnostic laboratory,cleared during Dr P Venugopal’s tenure as director in 2006,might started functioning in the next two-three years.

“We are working towards structural and academic restructuring of laboratory medicine. This will make all the tests available at a single centre and make things easier for patients. We will soon restart all the tests,” he said.

A member from hospital’s management board said: “We are trying to restart the tests for HIV and viral hepatitis. The process is underway. Doctors have also requested that equipment for additional tests be made available.”

Sources said the institute’s central laboratory,established in 1988,has been able to conduct only 50-60 types of tests in haematology,microbiology and biochemistry. The requirement,according to a survey,has been at least 200 types of tests.

Test for tumours,which serve the twin purpose of screening for cancer and monitoring the progress of treatment,is not available for out-patients. Likewise,tests to understand cardiac profiles of patients,profile of diabetes patients and for diseases such as pancreatitis are not available at the central laboratory.

Some departments have set up internal laboratories,but patients from other centres do not have access to them,sources said.