Tamil Nadu Doctors Oppose IAS Officer as Head of Medical Education Directorate

The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association (TNGDA) and the Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association (SDPGA) have opposed a proposal to appoint an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer as the head of the Directorate of Medical Education. Currently, the directorate is led by a government doctor based on seniority, a practice that has been in place for decades.

In a letter to the Health Secretary, TNGDA president A. Srinivasan and general secretary T. Kanagarajan urged the state government to withdraw the proposal. The associations expressed shock at the move and questioned the need for such a change, stating that the Health department has functioned effectively under the existing system for the past 40 years.

The TNGDA warned that the proposal would be counterproductive, as it would compel doctors to work rather than motivate them. The association highlighted that despite shortages in manpower, infrastructure, and budget, the medical cadre has continued to serve the public. It threatened to launch direct agitations if the proposal is not dropped, and said it would join hands with all associations to oppose it.

The SDPGA noted that until 2000, the Health department had only one IAS officer, who served as the Health Secretary. Over the years, IAS officers have been appointed to several key administrative roles, including project director of the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society, project director of the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project, mission director of the National Health Mission (Tamil Nadu), managing director of the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation, and chairperson of the Medical Services Recruitment Board. The latest proposal would add the post of Director of Medical Education to this list.

“We strongly condemn this move,” said SDPGA president P. Saminathan. The association pointed out that there are already six administrative posts held by IAS officers in the Health department. It urged the government to instead increase the number of doctors in proportion to the patient load, as recommended by Indian Public Health Standards, to strengthen the department.

Dr. Saminathan also highlighted the disparity in doctor numbers relative to the expansion of public healthcare. In 2000, there were about 8,000 doctors in government health facilities, including 13 government medical colleges, government hospitals, and primary health centres (PHCs). Over two decades later, the number of doctors has risen to approximately 20,000. However, the public healthcare network has grown significantly to include 36 government medical colleges, nearly 270 government hospitals, and more than 2,000 PHCs, indicating a disproportionate increase.