Chennai, Tamil Nadu: The Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association has raised strong objections to a proposal by the Directorate of Medical Education to convert pediatric faculty posts into neonatology positions across several government medical colleges. Doctors warn that the move could weaken pediatric care and medical education at a time when public hospitals are already stretched.

The controversy erupted after the Directorate of Medical Education proposed withdrawing seven assistant professor posts in pediatrics and reallocating them as neonatology posts under the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care programme. The programme focuses on strengthening emergency maternal and newborn services, particularly in handling high risk deliveries and neonatal complications.

The affected posts are located at Government Medical College Hospital in Tiruvannamalai, Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Government Vellore Medical College Hospital, Government Madurai Medical College, Government Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, and two posts at Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital in Salem.

According to the association, the pediatric posts were labelled as excess based on National Medical Commission norms. However, doctors argue that converting teaching posts into service only roles could disrupt both undergraduate and postgraduate training in pediatrics.

The association stated that this proposal is not an isolated decision but part of a broader trend of reducing sanctioned medical positions in the state. Over the past two years, the government has reportedly cut 56 medical officer posts at primary health centers and more than 1,000 specialist posts under the guise of redeployment.

Doctors say such reductions directly impact patient care, increase workload on existing staff, and weaken the public healthcare system. They argue that redeployment cannot replace the need for creating new posts, especially in high demand specialties.

The Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association has urged Chief Minister M K Stalin to intervene and stop further reductions in sanctioned posts. In its communication, the association said the move goes against the interests of doctors, medical students, and the general public.

The association also referred to the recent redeployment of 59 sanctioned junior resident posts instead of creating additional positions, calling it another example of short term workforce planning.

While the Directorate of Medical Education maintains that the proposal aligns with regulatory norms and aims to strengthen neonatal services, doctors insist that pediatric and neonatal care cannot be separated so easily. They warn that weakening pediatric departments could ultimately affect neonatal outcomes as well.

(Rh/ARC)