Doctors’ unions condemn unofficial hospital inspection

Chennai: Two prominent govt doctors’ associations have condemned health officials in Tenkasi district after a group affiliated with ruling TVK govt conducted a “review meeting” at govt hospital in Sankarankovil, on Wednesday, with the “permission” of senior health administrators.

The inspection, triggered by news circulating about medical mismanagement of a road traffic accident victim treated at the facility, drew sharp reactions from the service doctors and postgraduates association (SDPGA) and the Tamil Nadu medical officers association (TNMOA).

SDPGA said a group claiming to be the medical wing of ruling TVK govt visited the hospital and reviewed hospital records. “The visit was permitted by the chief medical officer (CMO) and the joint director of health services, Tenkasi. Visitors led by a woman dressed in a white coat went through official registers and files,” said association general secretary Dr A Ramalingam.

One team member who wore a doctor’s coat later clarified on social media she was a qualified nurse visiting as a TVK medical wing member “to offer help.”

TNMOA said the group held no elected office and carried no official authorisation. Inspections of govt hospitals, they noted, must be conducted only by appointed officials, elected representatives, or authorised committees following prescribed procedures.

On Thursday, when asked about the incident, health minister K G Arunraj told reporters that chief minister C Joseph Vijay and rural administration minister N Anand have told party cadres that inspections can be carried out only by elected representatives. “This will not happen again,” he said.