Ahmedabad: In a major administrative shake-up, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has suspended a senior doctor and terminated the contracts of eight others at VS Hospital, following revelations of unauthorised medical research activities.
According to AMC officials, a preliminary inquiry led by the medical superintendent uncovered that the hospital was conducting research without a mandatory Ethics Committee, a clear violation of norms set by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
The irregularities were flagged in a detailed report submitted to the municipal commissioner. Subsequently, an expert committee was formed to probe deeper into the matter.
“The committee found significant lapses, including research being conducted without due permissions or standard procedures,” an AMC release stated on Friday. “One doctor, serving as a pharmacologist and associate professor, has been suspended, while eight others have had their contracts terminated.”
Sources confirmed that the final report on the probe is expected to be tabled shortly. The action follows concerns that some hospital staff were engaged in clinical or academic research without the oversight or clearance from a recognized Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) — a mandatory prerequisite under both national and international medical research protocols.
This incident has sparked renewed concerns over regulatory compliance in public hospitals, especially those involved in medical education and patient trials.
AMC is yet to disclose if legal action or further disciplinary proceedings will follow.
