Chennai: In a significant boost to medical education and public healthcare, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian has announced the addition of 500 postgraduate (PG) medical seats across 13 government medical colleges and the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital. The move aims to meet the growing demand for specialist doctors in the state.
The announcement came during the minister’s reply to the demand for grants in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, where he also unveiled a wide-ranging healthcare development package, including new infrastructure, social welfare schemes, and service enhancements.
Key Highlights:
- 500 PG Medical Seats: To be added across 13 government medical colleges and Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital.
- 642 New Sub-Health Centres: To be established in areas with populations exceeding 10,000, ensuring wider access to primary healthcare.
- Support for HIV+ Children: Monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 will be provided to 7,618 HIV-infected children through the Tamil Nadu Trust, initiated by late CM M. Karunanidhi.
- ‘Wall of Honour’ for Organ Donors: To recognize and honour organ donors, dedicated memorial walls will be created in all government medical college hospitals.
- Infrastructure Development: Construction of additional buildings in 50 Government Hospitals (GHs) across 21 districts with an outlay of Rs 164.5 crore.
- Increased Hospital Footfall: Over the last four years, the state has seen a 56% increase in outpatients, 43% rise in inpatients, and a 61% spike in surgeries, indicating enhanced public trust in government healthcare services.
- Chief Minister Bal Sanrakshan Box Scheme: A new initiative under which 50,000 infants discharged from special newborn care units will receive iron, vitamin D3, and multivitamin supplements for improved postnatal care and nutrition.
Minister Subramanian emphasized that the increased usage of public healthcare services by high- and middle-income groups is a strong indicator of the growing credibility and quality of Tamil Nadu’s government health services.
