Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Govt. trying to increase staff strength in hospitals

COIMBATORE: Aware of the pressure mounted on government hospitals by the rise in the number of patients, the government is working towards increasing their staff strength, Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam said on Monday.

“It is incorrect to say there are vacancies in all hospitals; After the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam assumed office, 21,558 posts have been filled. These include 4,108 medical officers and 5,124 nurses. Candidates are to be interviewed on November 26 for appointment of another 1,236 medical officers,” he said after launching emergency ambulatory services and commissioning magnetic resonance imaging and digital X-Ray equipment at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.

Yet, even after the vacancies were filled, the government medical institutions were found in need of more staff members, because of the increasing population, and the resultant rise in patient inflow, he said.

“Besides diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, lifestyle-related disorders have brought more patients to hospital. It has been found that the number of doctors and paramedical staff is inadequate, considering the number of patients.”

“It may take time, say, even five years. So, bear with the situation till then,” he said, responding to the appeal of the hospital authorities, Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy and Valparai MLA Kovai Thangam for more staff and modern facilities.

Mr. Panneerselvam said 607 children, aged up to 12, of poor families had benefited from the government’s free heart surgery scheme.

The government, he said, was committed to improving the facilities at all healthcare centres. “All 1,421 primary health centres are doing well. This year, 2.2 lakh deliveries have been done at these centres, a 122 per cent increase over the previous year.” The government had earmarked Rs.222 crore for improving the buildings of, or construct new ones for, 232 taluk hospitals in 24 districts. Mr.Panneerselvam urged doctors and paramedical staff to avoid errors that could bring disrepute to the government’s healthcare machinery.

“We perform many costly surgeries free of cost. But one small error tarnishes the image of our hospitals. So, every effort must be made to eliminate mistakes.”

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