Latest news with #MedicalandRuralHealthServices
New Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Two years on, no action on government doctor indicted in Balveer Singh case
TIRUNELVELI: Over 27 months have passed since the commission, set up to investigate the custodial torture case involving former ASP Balveer Singh, submitted a report suggesting action against a government doctor, but the state is yet to act on it. In an interim report submitted to the government on April 19, 2023, the commission led by IAS officer P Amudha, recommended action against Dr Jaishankar of Ambasamudram Government Hospital, who allegedly issued 'nil injury' certificates to six custodial torture victims, including those with visibly missing teeth and other injuries. Amudha's report stated, 'When the accused were taken by police to Ambasamudram GH, Medical officer Dr Jaishankar did not record the injuries in the medical memo and mentioned 'nil injury' for all six persons. He also failed to maintain the Casualty Register. However, injuries such as blood clots on thighs and back, swollen faces and lips were documented in the Palayamkottai Prison Health Screening Memo. This clearly shows gross negligence on the part of the doctor in recording injuries and issuing untrue fitness certificates.' She recommended strict action for the serious dereliction of duty. Dr Jaishankar still continues to serve at the Ambasamudram GH with no disciplinary action taken so far. When contacted, Tirunelveli Joint Director of Health Services Dr Latha claimed she had not received any communication regarding the inquiry findings from the directorate. Repeated attempts to contact Health Secretary P Senthilkumar and Director of Medical and Rural Health Services Dr J Rajamoorthy went unanswered.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Minister Mano Thangaraj inaugurates skill development programme focusing on strengthening and implementation of PCPNDT Act-1994
Minister of Dairy Development T. Mano Thangaraj inaugurated the skill development programme for doctors in Nagercoil on Thursday. The programme, focused on strengthening and implementation of Pre Consumption and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act 1994, was organised by the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services. Speaking at the event, Mr. Mano Thangaraj emphasised that the training camp was being conducted to ensure that all medical professionals understand the provisions of the law and the Tamil Nadu government's goal of achieving a balanced gender ratio. He said, 'According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2020), the child sex ratio in our country India is 929. In Tamil Nadu, it stands at 950 and in our district, it is 966.' He pointed out that the declining child sex ratio was a result of gender discrimination, including the parents preferring male children and selective abortions. The Minister highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by Tamil Nadu government to increase the gender ratio. These include 33% reservation for women in employment, 50% for women in rural local body posts, schemes such as Pudhumai Penn, Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity benefit scheme, Thozhi Hostels, Women's Right Grant Scheme etc,. He further explained that under the PCPNDT Act 1994, doctors were only permitted to assess the growth of the fetus, detect heartbeat and identify any abnormalities. Mr. Mano Thangaraj urged both government and private doctors, as well as scan centre staff not to disclose the gender of the foetus and to spread awareness about legal consequences of violating the Act. Doctors from Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi and Virdhunagar district participated in the programme. Kanniyakumari District Collector R. Alagumeena, J. Rajamoorthy, Director of Medical and Rural Health Services and other officials were present at the event.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
‘Awareness of PCPNDT Act key to reducing female foeticide'
Madurai: Health department staff including gynaecologists and radiologists are often not well-versed with the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act due to which they face various legal issues, said Dr J Rajamoorthy, Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS). He was speaking at a special meeting and training workshop for health department staff of Madurai and five other southern districts here on Wednesday. "It also leads to female foeticide . In some districts like Dharmapuri and Salem, the sex ratio is such that there are much fewer girls than boys. Steps taken because of this act have greatly helped reduce female foeticide in recent times," he added. He said awareness among public and health staff about the Act is key to reducing female foeticide and improving sex ratio at birth. Experts highlighted the legal provisions and their importance in preventing prevalence of quackery as well. The workshop was part of an initiative announced in the assembly by the health minister Ma Subramanian to create awareness and educate health department staff on PCPNDT Act and bring down female foeticide. On the discreet or symbolic methods being used by scan centres to reveal the sex of unborn foetus, the DMS said practising doctors can face punishments in case of violations even if the patient was willing. Dr K Senthil, state president, TNGDA, elaborated on Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act as well. Dr R Selvaraj, JDHS, Madurai, Dr L Arul Sundaresh Kumar, dean, Madurai Medical College, and officials and staff from Dindigul, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Sivanganga, and Virudhunagar districts were present. A handbook on PCPNDT Act was released and distributed to all participants.
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Greens worth Rs 20 bought for Rs 80 in Tenkasi GH; Rs 6.6L loss, five officers in dock
TENKASI: Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS) Dr J Rajamoorthy has ordered recovery of Rs 6.59 lakh from five officials after an audit revealed that leafy greens meant for patients' use at the Tenkasi Government District Headquarters Hospital were bought at Rs 80 per kg when their actual market rate was only Rs 20 per kg. The five officials were working in the office of the Joint Director of Health Service (JDHS). Sources said, the price of one kg of greens was altered in the purchase order from Rs 25 to Rs 80, after the JDHS had approved the procurement price at Rs 25 per kg. Of the five officials ordered to shell out Rs 6.59 lakh, V Sripadmavathi, former administrative official in JDHS office, was told to pay Rs 3.29 lakh, as per the recovery order accessed by TNIE. Sources in the DMS office said a team of auditors is likely to launch a special audit in government hospitals at Sankarankovil, Sivagiri, Puliyangudi, Kadayanallur, and Shengottai where approximately Rs 50 lakh is suspected to have been misappropriated through similar collusion between officials and contractors. Health department sources said, the alleged malpractice at the Tenkasi GHQH took place in two rounds between October 2022 and March 2023, and April 2023 to September 2023. 'The statistical department had fixed the price but the illegal procurement was done in collusion with contractors,' sources said.
