Doctors’ association in T.N. wants transfer counselling to be conducted for govt. obstetricians

The Legal Coordination Committee for Government Doctors (LCC) has demanded that the Tamil Nadu government immediately conduct transfer counselling for obstetricians in government medical colleges. It also demanded that the government drop its plan to reduce pediatrician posts in government medical college hospitals.

A note from the LCC stated that in Tamil Nadu, transfer counselling was conducted last week for doctors already in service. However, despite 57 vacancies in the obstetrics department, counselling was not conducted for obstetricians. Multiple requests were made to the Director of Medical Education, but this has not been taken up, the note said. It pointed out that obstetricians are facing multiple challenges: they receive among the lowest salaries in the country, and yet continue to dedicate themselves to life-saving work, playing a vital role in reducing the maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate.

Denying obstetricians the opportunity for transfer counseling — while it is given to other specialists — is unjust, the LLC stated, adding that long-distance travel across districts for work causes severe mental stress and physical exhaustion, affecting doctors’ family life and children.

Raising another issue, the LLC expressed its strong disapproval of the reduction in existing pediatrician posts to create posts for DM-trained neonatologists. It stated that with the rise in number of patients, cutting these posts would cause serious setbacks in the future. The right approach, the LLC stated, would be to increase pediatrician posts while also creating new neonatologist posts.

The LLC has urged the State Health Minister to immediately intervene, conduct transfer counselling for obstetricians, and withdraw the plan to reduce pediatrician posts.