AIIMS security officials trashed an operating clinic, defaced patients’ medical records, and misbehaved with the institute’s teachers in order to force them to quit the location where the medical center is located.
The event occurred in the ART clinic, where HIV-positive patients get treatment. Staff members reported that security officers armed with lathis appeared and ordered them to vacate the area quickly, despite the fact that the patients were inside.
“When we objected, the security team started throwing the medical equipment and records, leading to chaos. The patients got frightened and left the clinic without consultation. Meanwhile, they threatened us and also a very senior faculty member who came to our rescue,” a staff member stated.
It remains unclear whether the security team involved in the incident at AIIMS was acting on behalf of the administration or independently, as the institution has not yet clarified the situation. This unruly behavior follows a month-old directive in which the administration announced plans to open generic medicine counters at the ART center.
However, the faculty of the medical department, which oversees the ART facility, has rejected the action, alleging a lack of communication with them prior to issuing the order. According to the faculty members, operating pharmaceutical counters at the ART clinic carries several concerns, including increasing the risk of infection, violating the privacy of HIV+ patients, and ultimately affecting patient treatment.
“This centre is run under the government’s national programme at spaces with certain criteria to ensure the treatment and privacy of the patients. One cannot issue a diktat of allotting the space for some other work without consultation with the parent department,” stated a faculty member.
Meanwhile, the institute’s security team’s erratic behavior has left faculty members frightened for their safety. A journalist was recently manhandled by security while appearing live on television.