The Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association (SDPGA) has urged the Tamil Nadu government to discontinue the practice of appointing retired doctors on a contractual basis to senior positions in the Health Department, stating that a large pool of qualified government doctors is available to take up these roles.
SDPGA Demands End to Contractual Appointments
In a representation to Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, the association argued that appointing retired doctors to key administrative and medical posts creates an impression that serving government doctors lack the qualifications and expertise required for leadership positions.
The association pointed out that recruitment to the Tamil Nadu Health Department was conducted through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) until 2012, after which the Medical Recruitment Board (MRB) was established to recruit doctors and paramedical staff.
Tamil Nadu Has Strong Pool of Experienced Doctors: Association
According to a press release signed by SDPGA State President Dr. P. Saminathan, nearly 20,000 doctors are currently serving in government medical colleges, government hospitals, and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across Tamil Nadu.
The association claimed that around 80 percent of these doctors possess postgraduate qualifications, including MD, MS, DM, and M.Ch degrees, making them fully capable of handling senior administrative and medical responsibilities within the department.
SDPGA further stated that doctors serving across PHCs, government hospitals, and medical colleges have accumulated extensive clinical, academic, and managerial experience, creating one of the strongest healthcare workforces in the country.
Previous Opposition to Contractual Recruitment
The association recalled that during the initial phase of Omandurar Multispeciality Hospital, proposals were introduced to appoint doctors as Senior Consultants and Junior Consultants on a contractual basis. Following opposition from government doctors, the proposal was largely withdrawn, although some positions, including Heads of Departments (HODs) and the Director post, continued to be filled through contractual appointments.
Since its formation in 2015, SDPGA has consistently opposed contractual appointments of doctors. The association noted that contractual recruitment for several positions at Omandurar Multispeciality Hospital was eventually stopped in 2022 following sustained objections from doctors.
Concern Over Appointments in Super Speciality Hospitals
The association also highlighted that Kalaignar Karunanidhi Super Speciality Hospital (KKSSH), inaugurated in 2023, appointed retired Professor Dr. Parthasarathi, an Anaesthesia specialist, as Director on a contractual basis. The contract reportedly ended in May 2026.
SDPGA has now requested the Health Minister to discontinue contractual appointments of retired doctors to key positions such as Director of KKSSH, Director of TRANSTAN, and consultant posts under the National Health Mission (NHM) and Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project (TNHSP).
Association Seeks Promotion of Serving Government Doctors
The association has urged the government to fill these positions with eligible senior government doctors selected from the existing Dean/Director panel and Joint Director panel in accordance with established norms.
According to SDPGA, promoting experienced serving doctors to leadership roles would strengthen morale within the government healthcare system while recognising the expertise and service of doctors already working in the state’s public health infrastructure.
