Chennai, Dec 15 (NationPress) C. Vijayabaskar, the former Health Minister of Tamil Nadu and organizing secretary of AIADMK, has launched a fierce critique against the DMK government. He accuses it of neglecting to address significant vacancies in state-run hospitals and attempting to conceal what he describes as a worsening crisis in the public healthcare sector.

In response to recent statements made by Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, who claimed that all positions within the Public Health Department were filled, Vijayabaskar dismissed this assertion as “completely false”. He argued that such comments are merely distractions from the systemic failures under the current administration.

He noted that the realities in hospitals starkly contrast with the government's official narrative.

Vijayabaskar pointed out that healthcare institutions, from Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Government Medical College Hospitals, are grappling with severe manpower shortages.

He stated that numerous positions for doctors, nurses, medical officers, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and health workers remain unfilled, significantly hindering patient care, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.

“The public healthcare system, once a benchmark for the nation, is now faltering due to administrative neglect and ineffective human resource planning,” he stated, adding that overwhelmed medical staff are forced to manage workloads that exceed their sanctioned capacity.

The former minister also highlighted infrastructural deficiencies, alleging that several government hospitals, built at significant expense, remain non-operational in districts such as Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Theni, Tiruchy, and Cuddalore.

He argued that despite the completion of hospital buildings and procurement of equipment, the lack of sufficient staff renders these facilities largely unusable for the public.

Vijayabaskar further questioned the government’s contradictory stance. While the Health Minister asserts that there are no vacancies in the department, the government has simultaneously released notifications to recruit approximately 1,100 doctors.

“If there are no vacancies, why initiate a recruitment drive for doctors?” he challenged.

He urged the state government to acknowledge the staffing deficiencies, expedite the hiring process, and ensure that newly constructed hospitals become fully operational as soon as possible.

“Healthcare is not merely about announcements; it’s about having doctors on duty, nurses at bedsides, and hospitals that function,” he emphasized, calling for urgent corrective measures to protect public health services in Tamil Nadu.