Patient load must be criterion for postings, demand govt doctors

The state seems to have a healthy doctor population ratio, way ahead of the national figures with eight doctors per 10,000 people, while Chennai has more than 18 doctors per 10,000. However, the medical staff in the rural areas is not adequate as the postings of doctors in government hospitals is based on Medical Council of India (MCI) norms and not as per the patient load in the government hospitals.

The Federation of Government Doctors’ Association has raised the issue with the state health department and is planning to discuss the issue on the lack of number of posts of government doctors with the directorate of medical services next week.

“There are more than 1.47 lakh doctors registered with the MCI and we also have a benefit of Siddha practitioners and major research institutes in the state. However, the postings are done based on the MCI norms and not as per the patient load at a medical establishment. The patient load is higher at the district headquarters hospitals, but the number of posts for the doctors have not been increased for many years now. Meanwhile, the small healthcare facilities in rural areas lack enough staff,” said Dr Balakrishnan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Government DoctorsAssociation.

Though the number of medical seats has been increased in the state, the number of posts should also be hiked suitably. Doctors say that the Clinical Establishment Act was expected to analyse the figures and ensure proper distribution of doctors in all the districts.

“The clinical Establishments Act should have the provision of analysing patient load at the establishment and appoint the number of doctors necessary at the hospitals. This would ensure better medical services in rural areas,” said Dr GR Ravindranath, secretary, Doctors Association for Medical Equality.