Chennai, May 20 (IANS). Tamil Nadu Health Minister Dr KG Arunraj on Wednesday reiterated the state government’s opposition to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). He called it a system that undermines states’ rights and creates barriers for economically weaker sections wishing to pursue medical education.
Speaking during his first official review meeting at the Madras Medical College (MMC), the minister stressed that the government’s stand against the centrally conducted entrance examination remains firm and Tamil Nadu will continue to raise its concerns on the issue.
“We have made our stand clear time and again. We are not in favor of NEET and will continue to oppose it. It is against states’ rights and affects students from poor and underprivileged backgrounds,” he said.
Dr. Arunraj also criticized efforts to impose uniformity on a diverse country through centralized systems. He said that India’s diversity should be respected and education related policies should take into account the social and educational conditions of different states.
His comment comes amid Tamil Nadu’s long-running protest over NEET. Successive governments in the state have maintained that the examination disproportionately impacts rural students and those from economically weaker backgrounds.
Apart from the political stance on medical admissions, Arunraj used the occasion to outline the government’s healthcare priorities. He indicated that a major change is taking place in government hospitals across the state to improve the patient experience and improve the standards of care.
The minister, who completed his medical studies from Madras Medical College, expressed personal happiness at returning to his old educational institution in an official post.
He said, “MMC is my college. I have studied medicine from here and I am happy to return here.”
Throwing light on the government’s healthcare approach, Arunraj said that the welfare of patients will remain the main focus of the administration’s policies. He directed the officials and health workers to provide better treatment standards and focus on creating a more cordial environment in the hospital.
He said, “What matters is the end result, which reflects the quality of care that patients receive. Good healthcare and a good hospital experience are the basic rights of every person. We want people to have more trust in government hospitals and feel comfortable getting treated in a clean and efficient environment.”
The Minister also urged the doctors and health department officials to extend full cooperation in implementing the government’s healthcare program and enhancing public confidence in the medical institutions of the state.
–IANS
SHK/DKP
