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Journalism of Courage
MUMBAI, MARCH 28: An honorary professor of the skin and VD department of the state government-run GT Hospital has been suspended by the government for sending blood samples of AIDS-infected persons to Western countries.
The suspension order, issued to Dr J K Maniar by the department of medical education and drugs, says the government has “taken serious note of the allegations” against him and decided to take disciplinary action. Invoking the Maharashtra Civil Services Rules, the state has also instructed him not to leave the city till further notice.
Secretary of the medical education and drugs department Thomas Benjamin said the rules of the Indian Council of Medical Research stipulate that no biological product should be sent abroad without the government’s permission. Therefore, sending the blood samples abroad for the purpose of getting foreign funding is a very serious matter and has to be taken up urgently, he pointed out.
Sources said an inquiry had been initiated against Dr Maniar in 1995 in the wake of allegations that he had been sending abroad the blood samples of AIDS patients coming to GT hospital without taking the state government’s permission. A three-member inquiry committee was then set up and he was asked to appear before it and give a statement on the charges. However, Dr Maniar not only refused to appear before the panel but also sent a letter through his lawyer seeking clarifications on the matter. The committee submitted its final report to the governnment after examining all the evidence available, sources said.
As a first step, Dr Maniar was transferred to St George’s Hospital but he succeeded in getting a transfer back to GT Hospital. A senior government official said Dr Maniar was trying to project himself as an AIDS expert and called AIDS patients for examination even though he did not have any special qualifications in this regard. The running of an `AIDS clinic’ resumed soon after he was transferred back to GT Hospital, the official said.
Along with the suspension order, the state government has now instituted a fresh inquiry into all the allegations against Dr Maniar. Confirming this, Benjamin said a new inquiry team is being set up as the charges against him have been found to be true. A final decision will be taken after all the complaints are investigated in detail, he said.
Dr Maniar confirmed he had received the suspension order, but said he had not been given any showcause notice or chargesheet in order to enable him to give his version. Asked why he did not appear before the inquiry committee, he said they did not respond to any of the letters he wrote to them asking for clarifications on various points. He said he will definitely pursue the matter and may even approach the court for justice.
