TN doctors' bodies oppose alleged political inspection at Govt Hospital
inspection
Chennai: Doctors’ associations, including the Service Doctors and Postgraduates Association (SDPGA) and the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association (TNMOA), have criticised health department officials in the Tenkasi district after a group allegedly linked to the ruling government reportedly held a 'review meeting' at a government hospital in Sankarankovil on Wednesday.
According to SDPGA, a Group of people in the Garb of a political party inspected the Government Hospital Sankarankoil following allegations of mismanagement related to a Road Traffic Accident Victim and conducted a de facto official review meeting with the permission of the Chief Medical Officer and Joint Director Health Services.
In a press release shared with Medical Dialogues by SDPGA President Dr Ramalingam, the association has condemned the Joint Director Health Services and CMO for this act of permitting such an act, equivalent to a Review Meeting being conducted by a group of people unrelated to Health & District Administration.
The association has requested the Hon'ble Health Minister to stop such transgressions and to save TN Health Department's Doctors, Staff nurses, and HCWs, who are already overburdened and functioning with less than 60% of the workforce as per IPHS (Indian Public Health Standards).
Meanwhile, TNMOA has also alleged that a party-affiliated group, comprising individuals who are not elected representatives, has inspected the Government Hospital in Sankarankovil. Secretary of the association, Dr. M. Akilan, stated, “This constitutes a violation of established regulations and represents an unprecedented occurrence. Government hospitals, Primary Health Centres, and medical colleges may only be inspected by duly appointed government officials, elected representatives, or authorized committees, strictly in accordance with appropriate scientific protocols.”
“The TNMOA expresses its strong condemnation of the Joint Director of Tenkasi and the Chief Medical Officer of Sankarankovil for permitting private individuals to enter a government institution. We earnestly appeal to the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the Honourable Minister for Health and Family Welfare to intervene in this matter, provide appropriate directives, and initiate necessary action,” he added.
