Tamil Nadu would seek the nod to establish new government medical colleges in six more districts of Perambalur, Mayiladuthurai, Tenkasi, Ranipet, Tirupattur and Kancheepuram, according to Health Minister Ma. Subramanian.
The Minister along with the Health Secretary would be meeting the Union Health Minister in New Delhi on Friday evening to make seven to eight representations. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he noted that former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had brought in a scheme in 2011 to establish a medical college in every district.
He said 50 students were being admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Madurai and accommodated at the government medical college, Ramanathapuram. The need to expedite construction work for AIIMS, Madurai and establishing another AIIMS in Coimbatore would be emphasised, he said. “We will stress the need for exempting the State from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test,” the Minister said. The views of students who returned from Ukraine– to enable them to continue medical education in India or in other countries having medical curriculum similar to that of Ukraine – would be represented. A demand to start an undergraduate course in diabetology would also be put forward, he said.
Financial aid
Families of 168 frontline workers, who died of COVID-19, have received financial assistance to the tune of ₹74.25 crore in Tamil Nadu– 129 persons have received ₹50 lakh each from the Union government’s fund, amounting to ₹64.50 crore, and 39 have received ₹25 lakh each from Tamil Nadu government’s fund, amounting to ₹9.75 crore, he said.
On Thursday, the Minister handed over ₹25 lakh each to the kin of two frontline workers from Salem and Villupuram districts.
Marks for doctors
“Doctors were recruited for mini-clinics for a period of one year. As they were engaged in COVID-19 management, we have decided to give them marks and prioritise them while filling up vacancies through the Medical Services Recruitment Board. We will issue guarantee letters to recognise their service,” he said.
To take healthcare to remote villages, 389 new mobile medical units would be rolled out soon, each comprising a doctor, a nurse and a health-related field worker. Each unit would conduct 40 medical camps in rural areas, particularly in hills, in a month. The government had allocated ₹70 crore to purchase vehicles, which would be launched by the Chief Minister next week in Chennai, he said.
Though COVID-19 cases were steadily declining in the State, they were rising again in a number of countries like China, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, the U.K., Germany and Israel, he said. Noting that vaccination was important to prevent another wave, he said the department continued to focus on improving vaccination. Though the recent mega vaccination camps did not register huge success and the number of persons covered were low, the department was keen on improving the coverage. The 27th mega vaccination camp would be held on April 2. About 50 lakh persons, yet to take their first dose and over 1.30 crore, yet to take the second should come forward and get vaccinated, he said.
T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and N. Ezhilan, Member of Legislative Assembly, Thousand Lights, were present.
