TN stands second in south for being understaffed in rural health care: Study

The study based on the analysis of the figures on staff availability at public and community healthcare centres, found out that though the PHCs and community health centres are adequately staffed, rural health care system is understaffed.

As part of the study, Rural Health Statistics 2016-17 which was recorded provides state-level information on the number of required and sanctioned positions in the rural healthcare system, as well as the existing number of personnel.

Among all the South Indian states, Tamil Nadu has the second highest percentage of shortfall in personnel with about 36.64 per cent at rural health system, after Karnataka with about 36.98. The study stated that the analysis points to increase public health spending in India to around three per cent of GDP such that the healthcare system is efficiently funded.

“Despite various representations and recommendations, the state Health Department has failed to ensure the presence of adequate staff in rural areas. Only post graduate students are pushed for compulsory rural service and state Health Department is not taking effective measures to have more medical practitioners in rural areas,” said Dr G R Rabindranath, secretary, Doctors Association for Social Equality.