Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian on Tuesday said that the State government has created 17,566 new posts for medical staff including doctors, nurses and support staff since the government formed in May 2021.

Mr. Subramanian was responding to charges levelled by Leader of Opposition and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami. Mr. Palaniswami criticized Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and alleged that the refurbished Government Pentland Hospital in Vellore would be inaugurated without appointing adequate medical staff including duty doctors and nurses.

“Mr. Palaniswami can personally check for himself the condition of Pentland hospital and medical staff available at the facility. On the day of its opening, the hospital will have 218 staff including 38 doctors and 92 nurses on duty,” he said.

The Health Minister was talking to reporters here after inspecting Pentland hospital along with the Minister for Public Works and Highways E.V. Velu. Stating that Mr. Palaniswami was unable to digest progressive steps taken by the State government in healthcare, Mr. Subramanian said that 43,155 medical staff including doctors and nurses have been given transfers in a transparent way in the past four years.

During the AIADMK regime, 11 new medical colleges in the State were inaugurated in a hurry with around 20-30% of work being done. These new colleges were able to run with full medical staff and infrastructure only after DMK assumed office in 2021, he said.

Mr. Subramanian also criticized AIADMK leader that the latter does not verify facts when commenting on prevalence of drugs in the State. “A few days ago, the Union government has appreciated efforts taken by the State government in banning gutka and other tobacco products near 43,000 schools and 2,500 colleges in the State effectively so far. On the contrary, Mr. Palaniswami cites the prevalence of drugs in the State, the minister said.