PANJIM: Dr Ida de Noronha de Athaide is a lady and a Goan one to boot. There have not been too many of those in the Goa Dental College & Hospital. She has been teaching in the college for the past 26 years, 18 as a professor.
She has been the dean since December 2011, albeit as temporary charge. Normally within two years, her appointment should have been made permanent. However, now due to the government’s ‘rotational’ policy; probably a first as far as deans are concerned – she has now been summarily removed and is back as HoD and another professor some 4-5 years junior been made the dean.
“I am a lady and a Goan,” says Dr Athaide, adding that she was extremely puzzled with the decision of the government.
Insiders confirmed to Herald, that Dr Athaide, a no non-sense professional, went by the book when tenders and purchase orders of equipment had to be issued. It is learnt that a coterie of equipment suppliers are believed to be behind her ouster.
According to the college nobody was informed, but an order was taken out appointing a new dean Dr Anita Spadigam. Dr Spadigam is a good doctor with a clean record but this is not about the merit of the junior doctor but the manner in which Dr Athaide was removed and the bizarre rotation policy introduced without any formal discussion or intimation.
Insiders in the field say that it takes at least 2 years to get to know the ins and out of the College and hospital. “In case this rotation is being done every two years then obviously the government does not want the deans to know what is going on in their hospital and take corrective action specially on tenders and the like given that many of the suppliers are long term ones and there have been allegations of fixing – some of which had been made by the BJP itself when it was in the opposition.
The Dental College & Hospital located at Bambolim is a Government institution affiliated to the Goa University established in the year 1980.
The institution provides a four-year course leading to a BDS degree. This is followed by one-year compulsory paid Rotating Internship in the College. At present, there are 30 seats.
