Reconsider Extension of Contract Period: Doctors urge TN Govt

Chennai: A section of government doctors in Tamil Nadu is upset with the State Health Department's decision of extending the contract period of doctors, who are working as consultants at Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital at Omandurar after their retirement from the government service.

In this regard, the doctors under the Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association (SDPGA) have already reached out to the Chief Minister of the State and expressed their disappointment over the matter. 

The doctors have referred to the Government Order dated April 5, where the authorities announced the decision of extending the contract period of retired doctors, who are working as consultants for two years. Reaching out to the Chief Minister, the doctors have requested him to reconsider the decision of granting an extension to the retired doctors.

It has been alleged by the doctors that by extending the contract, the State Health Department is blocking the promotion opportunities of eligible candidates from becoming professors.

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As per the latest media report by The Hindu, Government Order announcing that the Omandurar Government Multi Super Speciality hospital would be run by hiring medical consultants on contractual basis was issued back in 2014. Referring to this, the President of SDPGA, P. Saminathan issued a statement and mentioned that the contractual arrangement would continue to work until qualified doctors were available to take charge of the posts.

However, now the Government has decided to extend the contract period by two years and the doctors have alleged that with this move, the State Health Department is blocking the opportunity for the promotion of eligible candidates. 

Addressing the issue, SDPGA President mentioned in the statement that it is disappointing that the department says that it does not have replacements for the retired doctors.

“The proposed model of appointments on contractual basis for the upcoming multi super specialty hospital in Guindy is detrimental to the department. Instead, the government should give sanctioned posts on a timescale basis,” he added.

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