Three years ago, the annual debt of Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology was Rs 68 crore. However, the latest accounts say the institute has registered a profit of Rs 8 crore. The credit for this achievement goes to Dr Asha Kishore, the first woman director of the institute. Dr Asha Kishore speaks about the efforts that went behind this feat.
You have an illustrious line of predecessors such as Dr MS Valiathan, Dr Mohandas and Dr Radhakrishnan. What were the challenges you faced when you took over as the director?
This institution is what it is today due to the vision of people like (former chief minister) C Achutha Menon, Dr Valiathan and others. I applied to the post of director following instructions from persons including Dr Valiathan. After I was selected as the director, people including the secretary of the Central Science and Technology Department, which oversees the organisation, said "Asha, you are the last hope". It was then that I realised the extent of trouble that the institute was in. When I understood the gravity of challenges before me, I had two options; either work with 200% dedication or else play safe and make my job secure. I opted for the first path.
Sree Chitra was an institution that functioned well. How did it get into trouble?
Nine-nine percent of our employees worked for the progress of the institute. But as it happens elsewhere too, there were a few who worked in their self-interest alone. This affected the entire management of the institute. Controversies, cases and investigations affected the morale of even those who had worked with sincerity. When I took charge in 2015, many posts were lying vacant. Sree Chitra has a thousand regular employees, including doctors and technical experts, and 400 contract staff. There was not even enough money to pay their salaries. Loans that were taken to buy medical equipment were outstanding. Dr Valyathan and KM Chandrashekharan, who was the president of the institute body, came to the rescue.
Were fees hiked to overcome financial distress?
That is completely wrong information. The practice has always been to increase treatment fees every three years. This was implemented in such a way that it would not affect poor patients. With the help of Chandrashekharan, experts were brought in from the Centre. A financial audit of Sree Chitra was undertaken. It became evident that several undeserving people were being given subsidies for treatment, but those who were eligible for help under the state government’s Karunaya policy were not receiving the benefits. Discussions were held with the government and things put in place. Strict monitoring ensured that the current guidelines with respect to subsidies were adhered to. Soon, income from the hospital nearly doubled. Even today, people with high income can avail of expert care at a cost that is around 40% less than that of private hospitals. Free treatment for the needy continues.
How did you deal with allegations?
All management decisions of Sree Chitra are taken jointly by the governing body and the institute body. All decisions are taken by completely adhering to the current guidelines. I did not fear allegations as I worked with integrity. There were strikes against the hike in treatment fees. I tried to make the protesters understand the reality. Following complaints, Sashi Tharoor, MP, came to the institute to find out the ground realities. He examined all the records and was convinced about the truth. He conveyed his opinion through the media. With this allegations subsided.
What progress has Sree Chitra made as a research institute?
The research centre at Poojapura has received the status of Technical Research Centre for Bio Sciences. This will bring in Rs 100 crore in five years. Expert groups were formed to raise technical excellence. Research is currently on in 33 new areas of medicine. This will ultimately help to provide world-class treatment to the needy at affordable prices.