NEIGRIHMS Faculty slams Director for damaging institute

SHILLONG: The NEIGRIHMS Faculty Association has petitioned the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare against the criticism of the institute by the NEIGRIHMS Director DM Thappa.
In the letter, the association said Thappa criticised the institute, governing council and ministry as per media reports.
“While we, the faculty members and all staff, strive to follow the Central Civil Service rules in letter and spirit, we are demoralised by the blatant violation of the same by the director who has repeatedly criticised the decisions of the government, the governing council and even the SC commission as conniving against him,” the association had said.
The association pointed out that in his quest to target a particular department, he has tarnished the image of the institute just to further his personal cause.
“The unsubstantiated allegation of spreading of HIV is one such statement has the potential to irreparably damage public trust in this institute. The institute and its reputation have suffered much already, and any more of such statements can also hamper the doctor-patient relationship, leading to law and order issues,” the association said.
The association had further said that several of the faculty members and staff have been issued ‘memo’, without any justification, most of which are on false or flimsy grounds with the sole intention of harassing them.
“This ‘memo raj’ has resulted in mental harassment and may in turn affect the performance of their duties and, thereby, adversely impact patient care”, it said.
According to the association, the Director has been attempting to play the ‘victim of expose’ card in the media but the fact remains that he has failed in his duties as an administrator and a leader of the institute.
His unethical and pungent acts actually expose his utter disregard of the norms and conventions while “action has been threatened against most of us”.
The consequent work environment has resulted in resignation of several faculties and many others are at various stages of resignation, the association said.
The association had boycotted the meeting of faculty called by the Director on October 18 disapproving his acts, but he circulated the ‘minutes’ of the meeting wherein among other statements, he informed that the interviews for the Assessment Promotion Scheme would be held on November 26 and 27 at ICMR, New Delhi.
“The interviews never took place, and we are not in receipt of any communication regarding the cancellation of the same. He has been misleading the public by claiming that he had never issued any order stating that non-vegetarian food is not to be sold in the hospital coffee shop, when he has signed the (veg.) menu himself. There are several other instances wherein his statements have been far removed from the truth, which damages the reputation of the chair that he holds”, the faculty said.