Chennai, June 7: S. Ramadas, founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), has urged the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate and comprehensive measures to strengthen the state’s healthcare infrastructure. He highlighted the long-standing shortage of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff in government hospitals.
In a statement on Sunday, Ramadas noted that while Tamil Nadu’s healthcare infrastructure has expanded significantly over the past decade, the development of resources has not kept pace. Several new hospitals have been established under the Directorate of Medical Services and Medical Education, and existing institutions have been upgraded with new buildings, departments, and medical service programs. However, the number of doctors and other staff has not increased proportionately.
According to Ramadas, despite a substantial rise in patient numbers following the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been no significant creation of new positions for government doctors since 2015. He pointed out that the number of patients receiving treatment in government hospitals has more than tripled in recent years, placing immense pressure on the existing healthcare staff.
Citing the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), he stated that Tamil Nadu needs at least double the current number of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff to ensure effective healthcare services.
He mentioned that staffing at several recently established large hospitals, including the Kalaignar Centenary Super Specialty Hospital in Guindy, Periyar Government Hospital in Kolathur, and newly developed hospitals in Vellore and Salem, is being done by transferring staff from other hospitals rather than creating new positions.
Ramadas also called for a review of Government Order No. 354 and demanded equal pay for state government doctors compared to their central government counterparts. He emphasized that better salaries and career advancement opportunities would enhance the efficiency and morale of medical professionals.
The PMK leader further demanded the full implementation of 50 percent reservation for Tamil Nadu government doctors in DM and MCH super-specialty courses, an increase in nursing positions, regularization of contract nurses, and the creation of permanent positions for hospital support staff instead of outsourcing.
He called for the expansion of 24-hour X-ray, CT scan, and MRI facilities in district hospitals, prompt appointments of health inspectors, strict quality control over medicines and medical supplies, and the establishment of special management committees to oversee infrastructure development and quality assurance.
Ramadas urged the government to prioritize these demands to ensure timely and quality medical care for the people of Tamil Nadu.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.