
24 medical colleges in Tamil Nadu have replied to NMC's showcause notice, says state health minister
Salem: Health minister Ma Subramanian on Thursday said 24 out of 34 medical colleges had sent their explanations to the showcause notices issued by the
National Medical Council
on deficiencies in faculty and services, labs and surgeries.
"Only 10 colleges need to submit their explanations, which will be send soon," the minister said while speaking to reporters in the city.
On shortage of doctors, the minister said 2,462 doctors have been appointed and steps will be taken to fill vacancies.
During the recent
NEET exam
, women candidates were asked to remove their mangalsutra (thaali) before entering the centre, he said. "There was also an incident where a husband removed his wife's mangalsutra to help her write the exam, which is why we are insisting on the NEET exemption," the minister replied.
Earlier, Subramanian and tourism minister R Rajendran took part in the opening of a two-day national health mission seminar in Yercaud.
Subramanian launched three key initiatives at the event- a rehabilitation centre for mentally challenged individuals, an IVF centre for economically disadvantaged families at SGMKMCH, and a mobile application for haemophilia patients, which will assist around 1,000 individuals.
After the launch, Subramanian said PET SCAN facilities are now available in government hospitals in Salem, Coimbatore, Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, and Kanchipuram, with plans to expand to five more hospitals this fiscal year. Furthermore, MRI SCAN facilities are being introduced in 17 government hospitals across the state, he said.
MPs T M Selvaganapathy and T Malaiarasan, health secretary P Senthil Kumar, Salem district collector Dr R Brinda Devi, National Health Mission director Dr A Arun Thamburaj, and medical professionals from several government hospitals participated in the event.
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While commendable progress has been made, with National Family Health Survey-5 data indicating that around 78% of individuals who menstruate in India may use commercial period products, this statistic masks a deeper infrastructural gap. The figure plummets dramatically when we consider those who have access to both products and essential water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities – clean, private toilets with water and soap. Shockingly, only about 27.7% benefit from this comprehensive access. This stark difference highlights a critical point: distributing pads achieves little genuine progress towards dignified menstrual health if individuals lack the basic infrastructure needed to manage their periods hygienically and privately, particularly in schools and public spaces. This lack of essential WASH facilities remains a persistent barrier, often highlighted during crises that disrupt normal life. The current political landscape shows some commendable, albeit limited, steps. Various Central and State government schemes, such as those under the National Health Mission or State-specific initiatives like 'Asmita Yojana' in Maharashtra or 'Swechcha' in Andhra Pradesh, aim to provide subsidised or free sanitary napkins, primarily targeting adolescent girls in schools. While valuable, these initiatives often face limitations. Their focus frequently excludes women outside the school system, those in the workforce, or other vulnerable groups. Additionally, distribution can be hampered by external factors like school closures, and the focus often remains narrowly on disposable pads, without adequately expanding knowledge on diverse, sustainable options like menstrual cups (despite pioneering efforts in States like Kerala and Karnataka) or addressing the crucial need for safe disposal and the environmental impact of sanitary pads. This lack of strong, consistent political backing, often stemming from the underrepresentation of women and their allies in decision-making spaces, means menstrual health remains a relatively neglected public health concern, susceptible to policy oversights like initial exclusion from essential items lists during emergencies or debates around taxation. Integration into national policy framework Therefore, building a truly stigma-free, inclusive menstrual health infrastructure demands its integration into the core of our national policy framework. This means legislating for mandatory, comprehensive, and scientifically accurate menstrual health education within school curricula for all students, treating it not just as biology but as essential for equity and empowerment. It requires prioritising and funding national standards for MHM-friendly WASH facilities in all public institutions – viewing this as critical infrastructure essential for public health, education continuity, and enabling of full economic participation. Health policy must be reformed to train healthcare providers for sensitive care, integrate MHM screening and treatment into primary healthcare, ensure insurance coverage, and use inclusive language for all who menstruate. Fair fiscal policies, such as eliminating discriminatory taxes on essential menstrual products and exploring targeted subsidies, are needed to ensure affordability is not a barrier to dignity. Policy levers should encourage supportive workplace environments with adequate facilities and understanding for menstrual health needs, recognising its impact on labour force participation. Crucially, these comprehensive interventions must be framed not as an expenditure, but as a strategic political and economic investment. Ensuring economic viability requires moving beyond siloed projects. Funding for MHM should be integrated into existing budgets for Health, Education, WASH, Gender Equality, and Rural/Urban Development, leveraging existing political and administrative structures. Smart fiscal tools like tax reform and targeted subsidies offer cost-effective ways to improve access. Supporting local social enterprises producing affordable, sustainable menstrual products can boost local economies, create jobs, and reduce import dependency, aligning with national development goals. Most importantly, policymakers must recognise and champion the significant return on investment: improved educational attainment, increased workforce participation, better public health outcomes, and accelerated gender equality far outweigh the costs. The economic and social cost of inaction – perpetuated by silence and policy neglect – actively undermines India's broader development objectives. This Menstrual Hygiene Day, the call must be for decisive political action. We need political leaders and parties to champion menstrual health not as a marginal issue, but as fundamental to human rights, public health, and national progress. It requires integrating MHM robustly into national development plans, legislative agendas, and resource allocation. While the efforts of NGOs and local champions are vital, sustainable change at scale hinges on political will. It is time to break the silence in our policy chambers and build an India where everyone can manage their menstruation with dignity, safety, and informed choice – unlocking the full potential of half our population. (Karan Babbar is an incoming assistant professor at Plaksha University. Email: phd17karanb@