Chennai: The Legal Coordination Committee for Government Doctors (LCC), a Tamil Nadu-based organisation, has
appealed to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to step in and urge the Tamil Nadu government to promptly resolve persistent issues of staff shortages
and wage inequalities affecting government doctors across the State.Also Read:50 per cent salary cut for Contractual Medical officers, Rajasthan Govt faces backlashThe committee pointed out
that the MBBS doctors are paid the lowest salaries in the country. In a formal communication addressed to the
global health body, the LCC highlighted that the State’s public healthcare
system is grappling with a scarcity. The committee also stated that many
government hospitals are functioning with insufficient personnel, placing an
overwhelming workload on the existing doctors and jeopardising patient care.Talking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. S. Perumal Pillai, President of LCC, stated, “Already we have represented to NMC last year. Following that, NMC gave instructions to give salary to doctors, on par with AIIMS all over the country. But the TN Govt didn’t follow that. That’s why we have approached WHO, the topmost authority for health in the World, Madam. Our next move is to start ‘Foot path yathra’ from Salem Mettur to Chennai on coming June 11th.”

In a letter written to Dr.
Roderico H. Ofrin, the WHO Representative in India, the committee stated, “As
per the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO), we have significantly
reduced the health indicators MMR and IMR. In particular, we have achieved the
target set by WHO for 2030 to reduce the maternal mortality rate 10 years ahead of
schedule, and have achieved a record. We have currently reduced the maternal
mortality rate in Tamil Nadu to 39 per lakh. Doctors are working diligently to
reduce mortality further. As per WHO’s advice, we are providing excellent
services at primary health centres. That too, we are positioning Tamil Nadu as
the first state in rural health services.”

LCC pointed out that
doctors, nurses, and medical staff have not been appointed in government
hospitals according to the number of patients. Due to this, not only doctors but also the
public are affected. “We believe that the WHO will definitely not allow
life-saving doctors to continue to fight for their salaries. How is it fair
that MBBS, specialty, and super specialty doctors are paid Rs. 40,000 less than
the salary paid to MBBS doctors in other states? Moreover, even after the
Madras High Court itself expressed its regret that the salary of government
doctors is lower than the salary of a court clerk, the government did not
relent,” the association added.

Dr. S. Perumal Pillai stated, “Tamil Nadu is a
role model when it comes to healthcare. As far as the maternal mortality rate is
concerned, we are already 10 years ahead of schedule and have achieved a
record. Tamil Nadu has the highest number of government doctors dying at a
young age. “

He further added, “During
the COVID-19 pandemic, developed countries like America and England struggled to
control the infection. During the COVID pandemic, we reduced the death toll
significantly and quickly controlled the spread of the infection. It is a sad
fact that government doctors, who are trying to extend the life span of the
people, are continuously shortening their own life span. The average life span of people is 69-72, while the life span of doctors is 55-59. But we are
paid the lowest salary in the country.”

The committee has requested
WHO intervene immediately and urge the government to create a sufficient
number of doctors and nurses in government hospitals in Tamil Nadu. They also
demanded that adequate salaries (as per Government Order 354 or equivalent to
the Central Government) should be provided to government doctors.Also Read:NMC Recommends Uniform PayScale, Retirement Policy like AIIMS Delhi for All Medicos, FacultyMedical
Dialogues had earlier reported that the National
Task Force of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has recommended
implementing a uniform pay scale structure and retirement policy for all the
medicos, including interns, postgraduate students, super-specialty students, and
medical college teachers. However, the committee mentioned that even after the
National Medical Commission insisted that state government doctors should be
paid at par with AIIMS / central
institute doctors, the state government of Tamil Nadu did not implement it.
Similarly, even after the Madras High Court ordered the government to fulfill
the salary demand of government doctors as per Government Order 354, the
government did not fulfil the demand.