Patients turned away by PHCs as docs called to Chennai to get transfer orders

Doctors from Nellai, Tenkasi, Salem told TNIE that issuing orders in Chennai is a new practice

- THINAKARAN RAJAMANI @Tirunelveli

As 893 doctors working in primary health centres (PHCs) across Tamil Nadu were compulsorily called to Chennai simultaneously to receive transfer orders from Health Minister Ma Subramanian, patients at many PHCs were allegedly sent back on Thursday due to the absence of doctors.

Doctors expressed dissatisfaction over this move, stating that this new practice by the health department caused inconvenience.

When TNIE visited Maruthamputhur PHC, some pregnant beedi rollers were sent home by an on-duty office assistant. "The doctors asked me to visit the PHC today to administer iron sucrose. I took an auto-rickshaw from Thalaiyoothu village to reach this PHC. However, I was asked to go back home, citing the unavailability of the doctor," a pregnant woman told TNIE.