New Delhi, April. 11 (PTI): Describing his position as a "challenging" one, the newly-appointed Cardio head of AIIMS A Sampath Kumar today said improving patient care facilities is his prime priority.

Prof Kumar, who took over as the Head of Department of Cardio-thoracic and Vascular Surgery today, said he would continue the good work of his predecessors and teachers. "It is a challenging position. My primary interest is to improve patient care," he told PTI.

The senior cardiac surgeon, who has been working in the hospital since 1970, was yesterday appointed as the new chief of the department by Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, who as per court orders removed AIIMS Director P Venugopal from the post. "I am accessible. I will do everything. I am most interested in patient's rights, safety and cost cutting," said Kumar, who will turn 61 on Sunday. Writer of three books and several journals, he said his relationship with the Director and staff has always been "healthy and open." "I will work for one year as the head and four years if the retirement age is enhanced," he said.