Chennai: Months after Madras High Court asked the state government to depute doctors to review the health of judges daily, the Directorate of Medical Education has assigned two senior medical specialists—a cardiologist and a general physician—to the dispensary at the court amid a shortage of doctors in Tamil Nadu’s government hospitals.

This move has sparked protests from the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association, which raised questions about the government's decision to post specialists at the high court dispensary when government hospitals are struggling with vacancies and a shortage of doctors.

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According to an official order issued by Dr J Sangumani, Directorate of Medical Education, on Monday mentioned that it directed the Madras Medical College Dean to depute Dr C Elango, assistant professor of cardiology, and Dr A T Jeyaraj, assistant professor of general medicine, to the Madras high court dispensary with immediate effect until further orders. Both the doctors have been deputed for daily duties in the court premises from morning till court hours every day.

After issuing a notice in this regard, the decision was conveyed to judges during the building committee meeting on Tuesday where Health Secretary Supriya Sahu was also present.

The decision followed a letter from the Madras High Court registrar (administration) on October 28, requesting the state government to depute healthcare professionals at the court's dispensary.

However, doctors' associations have strongly criticised the move of the government arguing that placing a cardiologist and a general physician in a dispensary is a waste of resources.

Dr A Ramalingam, secretary of the Service Doctors and Post-Graduates Association told TOI, "The court dispensary must be strengthened with adequate drugs, life-saving equipment, and a good ambulance. Posting a cardiologist in a dispensary is a waste of resources. In case of emergency, duty doctors can refer patients to RGGGH within 15 minutes after first aid."