Over 100 posts remain vacant at the Government Medical College in Orathur, Nagapattinam district, raising concerns about the institution’s ability to deliver quality medical education and healthcare services.
Established in 2021 and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, the college was envisioned as a major healthcare hub for the region. However, it continues to grapple with staffing and infrastructure deficits.
Constructed at a cost of ₹254.8 crore under an overall initial allocation of ₹366.8 crore, the campus includes a 700-bed teaching hospital. It houses around 600 MBBS students, spanning from the first to the final year from various parts of the nation study here.
Of the 233 sanctioned posts, 113 are vacant, according to a senior official. Vacancies exist across nearly all key designations, including Dean, Professor, Vice-Principal, Medical Superintendent, Resident Medical Officer, Associate and Assistant Professors, as well as Senior and Junior Residents. Several specialist roles — such as Antenatal Medical Officer, Epidemiologist, Child Psychologist, Lady Medical Officer, Statistician-cum-Tutor, and Casualty Medical Officer — have unfilled positions.
Former Minister and Vedaranyam MLA O.S. Manian, speaking to The Hindu, said, “We established the medical college with the vision of providing high-quality healthcare to the poor and underserved rural population in Nagapattinam and neighbouring districts. Unfortunately, the present government has failed to equip the institution adequately, undermining that vision.”
Echoing similar concerns, K. Venkadesan, Town Secretary of the CPI(M), said the government first weakened the existing government hospital near the town bus stand and constructed this new facility in a remote location. “Despite our protests, nothing changed. Orathur, where the hospital is located, is 12 km from town and poorly connected. The rural poor struggle to reach it due to bad road and inadequate bus services. There are no basic amenities nearby — not even a shop to buy essentials. These vacancies must be filled urgently,” he said.
A senior official from the college added that the hospital suffers from a lack of compound walls, inadequate infrastructure, and no mobile network coverage, creating difficulties for both staff and patients. “We have raised this repeatedly with the authorities,” the official said.
When contacted, a top official from the medical college he acknowledged the issue and said, “Across Tamil Nadu, newer medical colleges in rural areas face issues of under-staffing. Many professionals are unwilling to relocate. The government must consider incentives to attract and retain talent in rural postings.”
Published – July 25, 2025 09:31 pm IST
