The Valiathan Committee, constituted by the government to recommend ways to improve the functioning of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to turn it into a centre of excellence, has recommended for the adoption of the time-tested model of Ministry of HRD for IITs to boost its financial health and improve the administration. The committee, headed by renowned cardiologist Dr M S Valiathan, also recommended to keep the politicians away from the day-to-day functioning of the premier institute and also to grant full autonomy to it.

“As the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare extends over numerous institutions all across India, including two institutions of National Importance (AIIMS and PGI) and several more AIIMS – type institutions on the anvil, it would no longer be practical or productive for the minister of health to preside over individual institutions. We would, therefore, recommend the adoption of the time-tested model of ministry of HRD for IITs and suggest that the minister of health may preside over joint council of AIIMS, PGI and other AIIMS-type institutions, which should be created for this purpose,” the committee recommended.

As per the recommendations, the president of India should be the Visitor AIIMS, which would place the Government-Institute relationship on a time-tested and highly prestigious foundation. It also asked to make necessary changes in Rules to enhance autonomy and give primacy to Science and Education in the stewardship of AIIMS.

The committee also recommended that the selection for the director’s post should be done by a search-cum-selection committee headed by the President of the Institute and consisting of the DGHS, DG-ICMR, VC, Delhi University, 4-members of the Institute Body nominated under sub section (e) and (f) of Section 4. The Institute Body should appoint the director on the basis of Committees’ recommendation with the prior approval of the Visitor.

The committee also noted that it is necessary to induct individuals with expertise in diverse fields such as management, cost accountancy, urban planning etc. in the Standing Committees, which need strengthening to make prudent use of resources. This requires an amendment to the Act, which is recommended separately. The Standing Committees should be reconstituted with a view to making them more effective with carefully chosen experts to address sectoral needs. A new pattern of membership for the Standing Committees is suggested. The period of the service of the members other than ex-officio members should be limited to one term in the Institute Body and Standing Committee.

The four-member committee, comprising Dr M S Valiathan, former director of Sree Chithira Thirunal institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Thiruvananthapuram as the chairman and P K Hota, then Union Health and Family Welfare secretary, Dr M K Bhan, secretary, Department of Biotechnology and Dr R K Srivastava, director general of Health Services as members, was set up in the backdrop of the infamous row between then Union health minister Dr A Ramadoss and then AIIMS director P Venugopal.