Unauthorised clinical trials in Niloufer

Hyderabad: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a report from Niloufer Children's hospital following allegations of carrying out unapproved clinical trials on children undergoing treatment in the hospital in the city.

Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy on Friday called the Niloufer Hospital Superintendent on phone and asked the latter to send a comprehensive report at the earliest.

It may be mentioned here that the issue of allegations of carrying out of unapproved clinical trials has come to the fore following a dispute between two doctors at the hospital.

A Civil Assistant Surgeon and Resident Medical Officer (CAS RMO) Dr Lalu Prasad charged another doctor from Pediatrics Department Dr Ravi Kumar of conducting clinical trials without the required approvals.

However, Dr Kumar denied the allegations and claimed that the trails are carried out after obtaining all necessary permissions.

Taking serious note of the issue, State Director of Medical Education Dr K Ramesh Reddy directed the Niloufer Hospital Superintendent to inquire into the allegations and submit a report.

Niloufer is Telangana's biggest government-run hospital for children and also deals with maternity cases. Patients from various parts of the state and even neighbouring states like Maharashtra and Karnataka come here for the treatment.

Controversies hit the hospital on many occasions in the past. The hospital authorities in the past too had come under the scanner for alleged negligence following an unusual number of infant deaths.