Question : ALLEGED SUICIDES IN AIIMS

(a) whether Government is aware of the increasing number of alleged suicides at the country`s Premier Medical Institute, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi;

(b) if so, the number of suicide cases during the last one year ;

(c) whether the Government proposes to constitute a committee to look into the working conditions of doctors and research students in the Institute as reported in the Hindu dated March 15, 20005;

(d) if so, the facts thereof including the time by when the committee is likely to be constituted;

(e) the reasons behind the high suicide rate in the Institute;

(f) whether there was a proposal to expand the department of AIIMS under a mega project;

(g) if so, the present status thereof;

(h) whether the Government has received proposals from AIIMS authorities regarding counseling services & stress management workshops for doctors , working in the institute ; and

(i) if so, the measure taken /proposed to be taken in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE( SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) to (i): In All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), during the last one year three suicide cases including one patient and one attempt to suicide have been reported. The Government has constituted an one man enquiry committee under Dr. S.P. Aggarwal, DGHS on 10.2.2005 to look into the circumstances leading to suicide/attempt to suicide and to submit its report within three months. In order to prevent recurrence of such incidents, the AIIMS has taken the following steps:

1. Names of two faculty members one senior and one junior to act as Counsellors for students and resident doctors of the concerned department were invited.

2. The Departmental Counsellors for students/resident doctors/Ph.D students have been circulated to all MBBS students and all Senior and Junior Residents (Academic) and Ph. D students on 9.4.2005.

3. To conduct the stress management workshop for MBBS students on the first day during August every year i.e. on the date of joining by new batch of MBBS students. Follow up after one month for the same.

4. The stress management workshop for MBBS for Junior Residents/Senior Residents (Academic) and Ph.D students in each academic semesters in July and January for the new Resident Doctors/Ph.D students.

5. Training of counselors nominated for each department by the Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS, New Delhi.

6. Inclusion of psychiatrists in Medical Boards from July session 2005 onwards for new batches.