The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has surprisingly laid off 200 more employees, including researchers at the prestigious Center for Cancer Research, despite promising that there would be no further cuts. The scientists removed from their positions were involved in advanced cancer research at the biological, clinical, and technological levels, through the design of new cancer drugs, the development of innovative therapies, and the establishment of guidelines for the prevention and early detection of various types of cancer.
According to inside sources, the decision is said to be related to a management error: the NIH had to reinstate some scientists, but in order to meet staff reduction targets, it compensated with new layoffs, generating confusion and bewilderment among employees.
The department had previously stated that no further cuts were planned at the agency.
“We thought the worst was behind us, that we had entered a new phase, but the rug has just been pulled out from under us,” one laid-off employee told the media.
An NIH spokesman did not comment on why the institute’s director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, requested new layoffs, deferring any clarification to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the NIH.
