Chennai: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday issue notice to Chief Secretary and Health Secretary asking them to submit a detailed report within eight weeks on media reports that the state was facing shortage of doctors in government hospitals.
In the notice issued by Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan and Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan, the NHRC said it has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report about the plight of patients due to the shortage of doctors in Government Hospitals of Tamil Nadu, wherein out of 7 crore population, 80 per cent depend upon the Government hospitals for treatment.
It also said according to WHO recommendations, more than one lakh doctors are required as against 18,000 working in the state.
"The non-availability of the doctor results in thousands of patients waiting in queue every day. Even for a surgery, patients have to wait for months leading to a situation of confrontation and clashes among them and medical and para-medical staff," the NHRC notice said.
The NHRC asked the top officials to give details about the total number of hospitals run by the government and functioning in Tamil Nadu, total sanctioned strength of doctors and para-medical staff in all the Government hospitals and health care facilities, number of vacant posts of doctors and paramedical staff and steps taken to address the issue of shortage.
"The State would be failing in its duty and responsibility, if it does not provide timely and qualitative health care to people, which it can make possible by providing the required number of doctors and para-medical staff.
The Commission has also observed that it understands the physical and mental stress to the doctors and para-medical staff working with depleted strength," the notice said.
