Tamil Nadu Doctors’ Associations oppose proposal to appoint IAS officer as DME Commissioner

Chennai: Two doctors’ associations in Tamil Nadu have opposed the reported move to appoint an IAS officer as Commissioner of the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), a post that has been traditionally held by a senior government doctor.

The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association (TNGDA) has urged the state government to drop the proposal.

In a representation to the Health Secretary, the association said it had learnt that the government was considering appointing an IAS officer to head the Directorate of Medical Education.

The association said the present system has been in place for nearly four decades. During this period, the Directorate has been headed by senior government doctors. It said changing the arrangement could affect the functioning of the department.

The TNGDA also pointed to shortages of manpower, infrastructure and budgetary resources. Despite these constraints, it said, government doctors have continued to serve the public healthcare system.

The association warned that it would launch protests along with other doctors’ organisations if the proposal was not withdrawn.

The Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association (SDPGA) has also objected to the reported move.

The association said the Health Secretary has traditionally been an IAS officer. Over the years, however, several other key administrative posts in the Health Department have also gone to IAS officers.

According to the SDPGA, IAS officers now head the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society, Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project, National Health Mission (Tamil Nadu), Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation and the Medical Services Recruitment Board.

It said appointing an IAS officer as Commissioner of the Directorate of Medical Education would further reduce the role of medical professionals in the administration of the Health Department.

The association also urged the government to increase the strength of government doctors in line with the expansion of public healthcare infrastructure.

It said the number of government medical colleges, hospitals and primary health centres has grown significantly over the years. The strength of government doctors, however, has not increased at the same pace.