Admission season upon us, but director of medical edu post vacant

Admission season upon us, but director of medical edu post vacant 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 19.08.2025

Chennai : T he post of director of medical education (DME) remains vacant amidst a busy admission season. After former DME Dr J Sangumani retired on June 30, Dr E Theranirajan, who managed medical education, hospitals, and dispensaries, was asked to hold additional charge as DME. He was also asked to hold the position of selection committee secretary to oversee medical, dental, nursing, and other paramedical admissions until the govt appointed Dr Lokanayaki, who was previously the special officer at the Govt Medical College and Hospital in Krishnagiri, as the selection committee secretary on Aug 6. Doctors’ associations argue that a person responsible for overseeing the administration of all staterun medical colleges cannot be burdened with other portfolios. “The panel is ready. There are no court cases either. So, why is there a delay,” asked Service and Post Graduate Doctors’ Association organizing secretary Dr A Ramalingam. A source within the health department said the panel for promotion to DME is ready, but the decision is still pending. The posts of director of public health and preventive medicine (DPH) and, director of medical and rural health services (DMS), which became vacant after a month, were filled by the govt on Aug 6, along with postings for deans to various govt-run medical colleges. The Tamil Nadu Govt Doctors’ Association stated that the state’s failure to conduct counselling for transfers and promotions has led to the ‘collapse’ of the healthcare system and widespread vacancies in govt medical colleges and hospitals. Promotions and transfers for 2023 were completed by March this year, and lists for two more years are still pending, the association said.