Chennai, June 7 (IANS). Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss has appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate and comprehensive steps to strengthen the health infrastructure of the state. He cited the long-standing shortage of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff in government hospitals.
Ramadoss said in a statement on Sunday that the health infrastructure in Tamil Nadu has expanded significantly in the last decade, but the development of resources has not been at the same pace. Many new hospitals have been built under the Directorate of Medical Services and Medical Education and existing institutions have been upgraded with new buildings, departments and medical service programmes. However, the number of doctors and other staff has not been increased in the same proportion.
According to Ramdas, despite the huge increase in the number of patients after the Covid-19 pandemic, new posts of government doctors have not been created in large numbers since 2015. He said that the number of patients undergoing treatment in government hospitals has more than tripled in recent years, putting huge pressure on the existing health staff.
Citing the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHC), he said Tamil Nadu needs at least double the current number of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff to ensure effective health services.
He said that in many recently established big hospitals, including Kalaignar Shatabdi Super Specialty Hospital in Guindy, Periyar Government Hospital in Kolathur and recently developed hospitals in Vellore and Salem, staff recruitment is being done by transferring staff from other hospitals rather than creating new posts.
Ramdas also demanded a review of Government Order No. 354 and demanded equal pay for state government doctors as central government doctors. He said better pay and career advancement would improve the efficiency and morale of medical professionals.
The PNK leader also demanded full implementation of 50 per cent reservation for Tamil Nadu government doctors in DM and MCH super-speciality courses, increasing the number of nursing posts, regularizing contract nurses and creating permanent posts for hospital support staff instead of outsourcing.
He also demanded 24-hour X-ray facilities, expansion of CT scan and MRI facilities in district hospitals, early appointment of health inspectors, strict control on the quality of medicines and medical supplies and formation of special management committees to oversee infrastructure development and quality assurance.
Ramadoss urged the government to give priority to these demands to ensure good quality and timely medical care to the people of Tamil Nadu.
–IANS
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