Twelve government urologists in Tamil Nadu who completed their M.Ch. in Urology in 2025 have reportedly been working as casualty medical officers (CMOs) in emergency departments of government medical college hospitals for nearly a year, owing to a lack of vacancies in their speciality. The doctors were among service postgraduate medical professionals who completed their DM and M.Ch. courses in 2025. While most were assigned to their respective speciality departments, some urologists were posted to emergency departments, including at newly established medical college hospitals that do not have super speciality departments. According to sources cited in the report, no new posts had been created in urology departments over the years, contributing to the shortage of vacancies. The doctors assigned as CMOs reportedly provide emergency care and make daily entries in accident registries. The situation has raised concerns about the utilisation of specialist medical professionals in the State’s government healthcare system. Several government medical college hospitals reportedly have only one urologist, limiting the availability of specialist services. Hospitals in Karur, Sivagangai, Tiruppur, Tiruvannamalai, Ariyalur and Kallakurichi were reported to have no urology services, despite urologists having been posted in emergency departments. The shortage highlights a gap between the availability of trained super speciality doctors and the positions available in their respective departments. The development also draws attention to staffing challenges in government hospitals, particularly in specialised medical fields where adequate personnel are essential for providing timely treatment.

AdvertisementThe Puranic