Chennai, June 7 (IANS) Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr S. Ramadoss has urged the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate and comprehensive steps to strengthen the state’s public healthcare infrastructure, citing a prolonged shortage of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff in government hospitals.

In a statement on Sunday, Ramadoss said that while Tamil Nadu has witnessed significant expansion in healthcare infrastructure over the past decade, manpower development has failed to keep pace. Several new hospitals have been established under the Directorate of Medical Services and Medical Education, while existing institutions have been upgraded with new buildings, departments and medical service programmes. However, corresponding increases in medical and support staff have not been made.

According to Ramadoss, no substantial number of new government doctor posts has been created since 2015 despite a sharp increase in patient footfall after the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that the number of patients seeking treatment in government hospitals has more than tripled in recent years, placing immense pressure on existing healthcare personnel.

Referring to the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), he said Tamil Nadu requires at least twice the present strength of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff to ensure effective healthcare delivery.

He pointed out that newly established facilities, including the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital in Guindy, the Periyar Government Hospital in Kolathur and recently developed hospitals in Vellore and Salem, are being staffed largely by transferring personnel from other hospitals rather than by creating dedicated new posts.

Ramadoss also called for a revision of Government Order No. 354 and demanded pay parity for state government doctors with their counterparts in the Central government.

He said better salaries and career progression would improve efficiency and morale among medical professionals.

The PMK leader further sought full implementation of the 50 per cent reservation for Tamil Nadu government doctors in DM and MCh super-speciality courses, expansion of nursing positions, regularisation of contract nurses and creation of permanent posts for hospital support staff instead of outsourcing services.

He also demanded round-the-clock X-ray services in district hospitals, expansion of CT scan and MRI facilities, early appointment of health inspectors, stricter quality control of medicines and medical supplies, and the formation of dedicated management committees to oversee infrastructure development and quality assurance.

Emphasising the importance of accessible healthcare, Ramadoss urged the government to treat these demands as a priority to ensure quality and timely medical care for the people of Tamil Nadu.

–IANS

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