HYDERABAD: In a shocking move, Dr VVTS Prasad, head of Research and Development cell at Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute (BIACH and RI) lodged a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) against the hospital’s management. On Friday, Prasad sent an email to Justice HL Dattu, Chairperson of NHRC, in which he alleged “constant humiliation, harassment, indignation, intimidation, and stress” by the hospital’s management.
Prasad’s chief allegation was that the hospital management was hampering research work being conducted in the R&D cell by refusing to provide utilisation certificates and statement of accounts for the money received through research grants.
Dr Prasad said, “My research on early detection of oral cancer, which is not being done anywhere in the world has received a provisional patent and also been promised a funding of Rs 2.5 crores from a private firm. ICMR conveyed that it is ready to extend funding by three more years for a project on drug-resistant head and neck cancer cells which it has already funded for three years. With utilisation certificates for grants received till now not being given by the hospital, the funding agencies will not continue to extend their grants.”
Dr Prasad also alleged that his salary for the month of January 2017 had not been paid and he was given no reason when he asked the Human Resources Department for the same.
The staff of the R&D cell had filed a police complaint in January with Banjara Hills Police Station regarding a ‘foreign substance’ being added to milk in the department as the tea prepared tasted salty. Dr Prasad alleged the hospital was deliberately leaving their security concerns unaddressed.
Dr Prasad was asked to resign by the hospital in 2009 after which Dr Prasad moved the court. The case is still pending.
BIACH and RI, Medical Superintendent, Dr Ch Satyanarayana, refuted Prasad’s allegations. He said, “Dr Prasad was not giving attendance through face scanning as is being followed by all employees in the hospital. He continues to sign in attendance register which is no more valid, so he did not get his salary.”
Regarding utilisation certificates not being provided, he said that the issue had yet to be brought to his notice.
He further said, “Dr Prasad has not been doing justice to the job for which he was recruited and that is why he was asked to resign. There have not been many quality research papers published by him. We will have another research department where we will hire a new head and transfer Dr Prasad’s staff there.”- BIACH and RI are being headed by prominent members of the Telugu Desam Party. The chairman of the hospital’s board is actor Balakrishna. Members include MLC MVVS Murthi and AP Assembly Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao.