The organisations working for the welfare of the survivors of the Bhopal gas disaster staged a protest outside the National Institute for Research on Environmental Health (NIREH) on Saturday during its 4th foundation day celebrations.
They also charged this 31st centre of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) with betrayal of the interests of the survivors.
Rashida Bee of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationary Karmchari Sangh pointed out, “Despite expenditure of Rs eight crore on renovation of its current building no laboratory at NIREH is in working condition. Only two out of 32 equipments purchased have been put to use so far and warranties for all machines have expired.”
Balkrishna Namdeo of Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pensionbhogi Sangharsh Morcha said, “Of the 10 research proposals listed, work is going on at NIREH on only one project. Two other ongoing projects are being carried out by external researchers at their own work places.”
In violation of ICMR’s ethical code, research on survivors of the gas disaster is being carried out without their informed consent which has led to two of research projects being stopped mid way, said Nawab Khan of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha.
Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information & Action pointed out, “Till today NIREH has not been able to send a reply to the serious criticism of its report published in the prestigious international scientific journal The lancet in December 2013.”
In addition of the sanctioned 184 posts only 44 have been filled and these have been filled by those whose work was criticized by international experts in the article published in The lancet. A full time Director remains to be appointed. Of the 6 clinical research wings mentioned on their website, says Satinath Sarangi of Bhopal Group for Information and Action.