Chennai: Health Minister's Surprise Inspection

During a surprise inspection held recently, Tamil Nadu Health Minister, Ma Subramanian visited Paramakudi Government Hospital in Ramanathapuram and ordered the transfer of a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the hospital due to negligence in his duties.

The minister asked the state government to issue the transfer order after he found that the hospital was not well-maintained. He told media persons that the CT scan room was not clean and could lead to infections.

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As per India Today, the minister also contacted the contractor responsible for the hospital extension project to ask why not a single floor had been completed after 18 months. Apart from this, the minister while inspecting also found welfare scheme posters featuring former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa within the hospital premises.

Following the inspection on Tuesday morning, the minister said this was affecting the public health system. He added that the CMO was responsible for the same and immediately ordered his transfer.

Speaking to media persons, the minister said that he has asked the Director of Health Services to seek an explanation from the Deputy Director of Health Services of Ramanathapuram District regarding the CMO’s negligence.

It may be noted that after becoming health minister of Tamil Nadu, Ma Subramanian has conducted several surprise visits to hospitals and Primary Health Centres and has taken immediate action against erring health department officials, IANS reports.

During a surprise inspection a few months ago at a Pudukottai hospital, he suspended the Joint Director of Medical and Rural Health Services and transferred the CMO of the government hospital, Aanavasal after he found unhygienic conditions at a care home for people suffering from mental health issues.

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