Government Hospitals to get 835 new doctors

CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday ordered appointment of 835 new doctors in various government hospitals, including the Primary Health Centres (PHCs), to provide quality healthcare to patients. Besides, Jayalalithaa also announced that a special allowance of `500 per month would be provided to nurses working in the primary health centres.The new appointments became necessary due to the opening of new PHCs and upgradation of many PHCs as round-the-clock units, creation of vacancies for doctors following the upgradation of single medical officer PHCs, retirement, promotion and voluntary retirements of doctors in government hospitals, ESI hospitals, etc.At present, there are three nurses serving in each PHC in villages on consolidated payment. In the first year, they are given `4,000 per month, in the second year `4,500 and in the third year `5,500. Since the PHCs are functioning round-the-clock, a large number of people are approaching these centres and considering the nature of their work burden, the CM has directed that `500 per month should be given as special allowance.