One of AIIMS’ biggest problems, insiders say, is senior doctors — mostly surgeons — leaving the institute because of professional dissatisfaction.
Of the 610 sanctioned posts, as many as 190 vacancies at different levels — professor, associate, assistant and additional professor — need to be filled. In September, three senior professors from the department of neuro-sciences — Dr B. S. Sharma, head of neurosurgery; Dr Aditya Gupta, associate professor of neurosurgery; and Sumit Singh, associate professor of neurology — resigned citing “professional dissatisfaction”.
Take the Ear-Nose-Throat department. Its sanctioned strength is seven but there are three vacancies at any given time. Over the past decade, more than 12 faculty members have left, resigned or retired. The latest being Dr K. K. Handa, an associate professor, who resigned after winning a legal battle over departmental seniority at the Central Administrative Tribunal.
The situation is no different in other departments.
“In the past four years, no recruitment have taken place. Last year, the governing body had advertised for 90 posts, but the recruitment drive ran into controversy as the posts were advertised for reserved categories only,” said an official at AIIMS. “After the Directorate of Personnel and Training intervened, new faculty admissions were put on hold.”
AIIMS deputy director, administration, Shailesh Kumar Yadav said, “We have 190 vacancies that have to be filled up through direct recruitment. We are waiting for instructions from the health ministry to fill up the 90 posts advertised last December.”

Best Brains, Worst Jobs

The medicos complain about
 Overcrowding of patients
 No time for research
 Poor security
 High work pressure
 Little remuneration
 Poor housing

The Way forward

 More waiting areas, patient screening at the OPDs so that only patients needing specialized treatment come to AIIMS
 Setting up a centralized information desk at the OPD, map of AIIMS at various places, better signages, dedicated staff to help patients.
 Easing up processes for research funds, hiring more faculty
 Strictly following one attendant per patient ratio, screening at entry points, hiring more security staff
 Hastening faculty recruitment process
 Offering competitive salaries vis-à-vis the private sector of hospital staff, including doctors.
 Funds should be allotted to refurbish the old houses and build new houses to accommodate faculty.