Tamil Nadu pushes free advanced care, cracks down on hospital corruption, renews anti-NEET stand

CHENNAI: The State government on Friday inaugurated a state-of-the-art Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Centre, donated by the Rotary Club of Madras, with support from the Timken Foundation of Canton and Timken India Limited, at the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital (TNGMSSH) in Omandurar Estate.

Health Minister KG Arunraj inaugurated the Rs 2 crore HBOT facility, which enables patients to breathe pure oxygen under high pressure to treat chronic diabetic wounds, severe burns, infections, accident-related injuries and other complex conditions.

The treatment, which costs up to Rs 1 lakh in private hospitals, will be provided free of cost at the government facility. The Minister said, “TNGMSSH is the third GH in Tamil Nadu to have this equipment, (Kilpauk and Coimbatore). A similar unit will soon be established in Sivakasi.”

He also announced stricter action against corruption in government hospitals, defend the safety of State-supplied paediatric paracetamol and reiterate the government’s opposition to NEET. Arunraj stated, “Four staff members of Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital have been suspended after complaints that patients were being asked to pay for services that should be free, particularly in maternity wards. No patient should pay for treatment in a GH. Anyone who is asked to pay money can immediately file a complaint through the 104 helpline. Strict action will be taken.”

Defending the quality of paediatric paracetamol syrup supplied by the government, Arunraj dismissed allegations over its alcohol content. “Every batch procured through the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation undergoes mandatory laboratory testing before distribution. There is absolutely no issue with the medicine. Only the permissible quantity and approved form of alcohol prescribed under the Indian Pharmacopoeia is used. People can use the medicine without any hesitation.”

On medical admissions, the Minister said Tamil Nadu has 13,999 MBBS seats this year, including 950 newly added seats, while applications will close on July 23.

Responding to questions on whether the government would raise the 7.5% horizontal reservation for government school students in medical admissions to 10%, besides regulating NEET coaching centres through an expert committee, Arunraj said the Chief Minister would make an announcement on both issues. Reaffirming the State’s opposition to NEET, the Minister said, “TN has consistently maintained that NEET is against the interests of poor students and infringed upon the rights of States. Despite our repeated opposition, NEET has been imposed on TN. The reported irregularities are unacceptable, and the Union government must respond to the concerns.”

He also appealed to students who did not qualify in NEET this year not to lose hope, saying the exam was not the only avenue for a successful career. He also advised those facing emotional distress to seek counselling through the 104 helpline.