Healthcare services at multiple Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across Tamil Nadu were disrupted on 20 February 2025 as 893 doctors were simultaneously called to Chennai to receive transfer orders from Health Minister Ma Subramanian. The mass absence of doctors reportedly led to patients being turned away, causing inconvenience, particularly to pregnant women and other vulnerable groups.
In some PHCs, including Maruthamputhur, pregnant women who had come for iron sucrose administration were sent home by on-duty staff due to the unavailability of doctors. Officials stated that advance notice about the absence of medical officers should have been given to patients.
The directive to bring all transferred doctors to Chennai was issued on Tuesday (19 February 2025) by Director of Public Health (DPH) Dr. T S Selvavinayagam. The ‘most urgent’ order instructed district health officers (DHOs) to ensure the presence of medical officers at the event, emphasizing that alternative arrangements should be made to prevent disruption at PHCs.
— Thinakaran Rajamani (@thinak_) February 21, 2025
However, doctors from districts including Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Salem, and Sivaganga reported that their forced travel resulted in severe strain on healthcare services in their regions.
The move also coincided with a NITI Aayog inspection scheduled in Sivaganga, where 30 doctors were absent due to their compulsory travel to Chennai. The decision to summon doctors, despite an existing shortage in many districts, raised concerns about its impact on patient care.
Health Secretary Dr. P Senthil Kumar stated that DHOs had been directed to ensure continuity of care at PHCs and that such gatherings in Chennai were not uncommon. Meanwhile, in Chennai, after issuing transfer orders to some medical officers, Minister Subramanian reportedly left to attend Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s event.
(with inputs from The New Indian Express)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.