Madras, March 13: The Tamil Nadu Government was totally opposed to the Centre’s scheme of appointing “bare-foot” doctors” to meet the medical needs of the rural masses, Mr. K. Anbazhagan, Health Minister, told the State Assembly to-day.
Instead, Tamil Nadu had suggested the setting up of an additional Primary Health Centre in every Panchayat Union having over a lakh of people but the Centre rejected it, he said.
(The “bare-foot doctors” are like quacks who do not receive any scientific training. They will be taught how to administer certain drugs for common ailments).
Replying to the three-hour discussion on the demands for grants for medical, public health and allied subjects, the Minister said the Primary Health Centres, which were rendering useful service, were not able to cope with the large number of patients. The Government, therefore, proposed to increase the number of doctors at each centre from two to three. This would enable the medical officers to visit the rural areas more frequently. The third medical officer would be appointed in 100 PHCs to start with.
Published – March 14, 2025 03:10 am IST