• The object of hospital services organised in India during the early years of British rule was to cater mainly to the needs of the British army and the British Civilian population.
• Indian Medical Department was organised on a regular basis in 1786.
• In the year 1875 a Medical Rule was set up and Department of Sanitation and Vaccination was brought under the Control of Medical Department.
• The Medical Department was then Headed by Surgeon General. In 1919 the post of Director of Public Health has been created and the department has been bifurcated.
• In 1922 Public Health and Medical Services were separated at all levels.
• The Public Health Department was formed in the year 1923 for the prevention and control of communicable diseases and for the improvement of General Health Conditions in the State.
• After the year 1947 the post of Surgeon General who was fully in charge of Indian Medical Department was redesignated as Director of Medical Services for Madras State.
• The ESI Scheme was framed in according with the provision of the ESI act 1948 and was first inaugurated in Tamil Nadu in 1955.
• In 1956 Family Welfare Programme was taken up by this Department to promote the Health of the People particularly Mothers and Children.
• In 1966 a new department was created to attend Medical Education.
• In the Year 1970 the Directorate of Indian Medicine was formed which was under the control of Director of Medical Services.
• During 1982 the Drug Control Administration has become an independent Department.
• During 1983 the Directorate of Family Welfare was disintegrated from the Directorate of Medical Services and Family Welfare for better co-ordination and implementation of Family Welfare Programme.
• In the year 1999 the Directorate of Medical Services was bifurcated and a separate Directorate to look after the implementation of the ESI Scheme was formed on 1.1.1999.
• Thus the Department of Medical Services which was a huge composite Department at the time of inception has decade by decade paved way for organisation of various separate Departments for better administration and from 1.1.99 onwards, this Department namely the Department of Medical and Rural Health Services is being entrusted with the responsibility of rendering Medical Care services to the public through the Non-Teaching Medical Institutions.

Through the pursuit of various policies and Programmes, the Department is aiming to translate the Alma Alta Declaration of Health for All in to reality. The reduction in Infant Mortality Rate, Maternal Mortality Rate, Crude Death Rate and Crude Birth Rate come through the services of the Medical Institutions under the Control of this Department.

Department Functioning

The Department of Medical and Rural Health Services is rendering Medical Services through the grid of 25 District Head Quarters Hospitals, 162 Taluk Hospitals, 79 Non Taluk Hospitals, 12 Dispensaries and 11 Mobile Medical Units, besides 23 District T.B. Centres, 5 T.B. Hospitals and 2 TB Clinics and 1 Leprosy Hospital are under the control of this Department.

Organization Structure

1. Director of Medical and Rural Health Services

   1. 1. Addl. Director
         (Medical)

         1. Joint Director
            (Medical)

            1. Deputy Director
               (Nursing)

      2. Addl. Director
         (P&D)

         1. Admn. Officer
            (P&D)

      3. Addl. Director
         (Inspection)

         1. Joint Director
            (Stores)

      4. Addl. Director
         (T M)

         1. Joint Director
            (T M)

            1. Stat. Officer
               (T M)

            2. Pub. Officer
               (T M)

      5. Addl. Director
         (PHC)

      6. Addl. Director
         (ADMN)

         1. Joint Director
            (ADMN)

            1. Deputy Director
               (ADMN)

            1. Asst. Director
               (ADMN)

            2. Admn. Officer
               (Services)

      7. Addl. Director
         (Leprosy)

      8. F A & C A O

         1. Accts. Officer

            1. Asst Accts.
               Officer

Programme

National Programme on Control of Blindness

• The National Programme on Control of Blindness has been implemented in India specifically to reduce the prevalence from 14 blind persons per 1000 population to 3 per 1000 population.
• In Tamil Nadu, at present the prevalence of Blind persons is 2 per 1000.
• The Programme has been implemented and headed by The Project Director, National Programme on Control of Blindness, New Delhi.
• The Director of Medical Education is the Co-coordinator of the programme at the State level and the respective Joint Director of Health Services of the Districts are implementing the programme in the Districts.

Aids Control Programme

• The Aids Control Programme has been headed and implemented by The Project Officer, State Aids Control Society, Chennai-8 in the State.
• The Director of Medical Education is the Co-coordinator, at the state level for monitoring and implementing the programme and the Joint Director of Health Services of the Districts in their respective districts.

Tamil Nadu State Illiness Assitance Society

• With a view to render assistance to the economically downtrodden people and suffering life threatening illnessess T.N.S.I.A.S. has been formed under the Chairmanship of Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare Department.
• Director of Medical Services is the Member Secretary.
• Under the Scheme, Government General Hospital Chennai, Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, Tirunelveli and Kikpauk Medical College Hospital, Chennai etc., have been notified as surgery performing institutions for the provisions of TNSIAS.
• The funds for scheme are provided by a State and Centre on a 1:2 basis. So far, 15 crores had been released under the scheme.

Master Health Check-up Scheme

• This scheme has been introduced in the Medical College Hospitals and in the Government Head Quarters Hospitals of the all the Districts in the State as per G.O.Ms.No.341 Health Dated 2.7.1999 by the State Government.
• The main aim of this scheme is to do a complete master health check-up of those willing people by collecting a nominal fee of Rs.250/- per head and at free of cost for those people who are below the poverty line.

Mental Health Programme : Trichy

• With a view to provide Mental Health Care Delivery, to the rural people, the Government of India have sanctioned National Mental Health Programme at Trichy.
• Under this programme, Mental Health Team consisting of Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatric Social Workers, Nurses, Driver, MBA, Statistical Assistant was formed.

Citizen Charter

Government Hospitals

This Charter seeks to provide a framework, which enables our users to know, what services are available in hospitals, the quality of services they are entitled to and the means through which complaints regarding denial or poor quality of services could be redressed.

1. Standards of Service:

• Hospitals under this Directorate are General Hospitals. They provide medical care to all the patients who come to the Hospital. Standards are influenced by patient load, and availability of resources. Services are free for those with the income of less than Rs.1000/- per month. All patients are treated free in casuality.

2. General Information:

• Facilities to treat in patients and out patients are available in all hospitals. Each hospital has qualified doctors and para medical staff. Doctors wear white coat, Nurses and others in prescribed uniforms. Enquiry Counters exists in O.P. Department. Sign Boards and guidelines are fixed at strategic points for guidance.

3. Casuality and Emergency Services:

• Casuality Services are located accessable to all the patients from the main gate. Casuality and emergency services are available round the clock on all days. Duty doctors and other para medical staff are available round the clock.

4. Out-Patient Department:

• General Cases: 7.30 A.M. To 12.00 Noon & 3.00 P.M. To 05.00 P.M.
• Special Clinics: 7.30 A.M. To 12.00 Noon

5. Indoor Treatment:

• Free treatment and Diet are provided to all poor patients. Staff Nurse is on duty round the clock in the ward. Admitted patients can contact the Nurse on Duty for any Medical Assistance.

6. Factilities Available:

• Wheel Chairs and Stretchers at O.P. Department and Casuality.
• X-Ray, ECG, Ultra Sound Scan, Clinical Laboratory with Semi Auto Analyzer, Blood Bank.
• Ambulance Services round the Clock.
• Grievances and Complaints Book at Chief Medical Officer's Room.
• Hospital Advisory Committee is there to provide the facilities and standard of services etc.,

Speciality Services

• The following special services are available in all the Head Quarters Hospitals
  • Opthalmology
  • Dental
  • STD and Skin
  • Orthopaedics
  • E N T
  • Tuberculosis
  • Master Health Check up
  • Paediatrics
  • Psychiatric

C.T. Scan

• C.T. Scan is available at all Head Quarters Hospitals to every one at a nominal rate.

I C C U

• In all the District Head Quarters Hospitals, Intensive Cardiac Care Units cater to the seriously ill heart patients with Myocardial infarction, cardiac failure etc.,

Post Mortem Facilities

• All the Head Quarters Hospitals and Taluk Hospitals have facilities to do Post Mortem.

7. Tribal Sub Plan:

• The Scheme is to render medical facilities to the Tribal Population in the following 4 Dispensaries.
  • Sembulichampatti in Pachamalai Hills of Trichy District.
  • Thoradipattu in Kalrayan Hills of Villpuram District.
  • Melnilavur in Kalrayan Hills of Villupuram District.
  • Kariakoil in Kalrayan Hills of Salem District.

8. Visitors Fee:

• An entry fee of Rs.5/- is being Collected from the Visitors who come to see patients, during Non Visiting Hours. This is done in Head Quarters Hospitals only and the Amount collected is being utilized for the upkeep, sanitation and providing security to the Hospitals.

9. District Blindness Control Socities:

• District Blindness Control Society is functioning in all the Districts and undertakes Conventional and I.O.L surgery for Cataract.

10. District AIDS Society:

• Most of the Districts have District AIDS Control Societies. Voluntary Screening is done in all District Hospitals and Treatment is provided to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV / AIDS.

11. Complaints and Grievances:

• There will be occasions, when our services will not be up to your expectations. In such cases, please do not hesitate to register your complaints. It will help us to serve you better. There is a designated Medical Officer whose name and location are displayed in the hospital for attending to all grievances. Every grievance will duly be acknowledged. We aim to settle your genuine complaint within 10 working days of its receipt. Suggestions / Complaint Boxes are also provided at various locations in the Hospitals.

12. Responsibilites of the user:

• The Success of this Charter depends on the support we receive from our users. Please try to appreciate the various constraints under which the hospital is functioning. Please do not inconvenience other patients. Please help us in keeping the hospitals and its surroundings neat and clean. Please the use the facilities of the hospital with care.
• Beware of touts. The hospital is non smoking zone. Please provide useful feed back and constructive suggestions to the Medical Superintendent / Medical Officer of the respective hospitals.

Director of Medical and Rural Health Services

Activites

Activities on Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique regulation and prevention of mis-use Act 1994 in Tamil Nadu.

• Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation & Prevention of Misuse) Act 1994 of Government of India was published by a Gazette Notification on 20th September 1994.
• The Act came into force in Tamil Nadu with effect from 01.01.1996 by a Gazette Notification published on 21.12.1995.
• A press Notification was published inviting registration under the Act by those who are engaged in Genetic Counselling and other related activities. However it did not evoke much response.
• In order to enforce the Act more effectively the Government of Tamil Nadu constituted a State Advisory Committee by a Government Order vide G.O.MS No.66 Health dated 06.02.1996.
• This was also notified in the Government Gazette. In G.O. Ms. No.431, Health dated 31.07.1996 the State Government also ordered the constitution of District Advisory Committee.
• At State level the Director of Medical and Rural Health Services has been nominated as the Appropriate Authority to implement the Act.
• At District level the Joint Director of Health Services of the district concerned has been nominated as Appropriate Authority with members.
• In G.O.Ms.No.431, Health dt.31.7.98, the Government have issued orders constituting District Advisory Committees to advice on implementation of Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation & Prevention of Misuse) Act 1994.
• The Joint Director of Health Services of the Districts who are the Appropriate Authority and convenors of the Advisory Committees were instructed to convene the meeting of the Advisory Committees and to take suitable action for implementation of the Act.
• All the Joint Director of Health Services have been constituted the Advisory Committee along with a Woman activist nominated in consultation with the District Collector concerned.
• In the recent press release, the Government have also warned the Doctors who are found indulging in malpractices regarding sex determination are also liable to lose their registration for Medical practice.
• The Government have also warned that offences under the Act such as non-registration and misusing the equipments to disclose the sex of the foetus are punishable as cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable offences punishable upto 3 years of imprisonment and fine upto Rs.50,000/-. These equipments (Scan) are strictly to be used for diagnostic purpose only.

Private Clinical Establishment Act

• In Tamil Nadu the Private Sector Hospitals are well developed.
• They range from small clinics to 800 bedded multi specially corporate hospitals.
• They are situated throughout the State in all regions but more in thickly populated and afflient Districts like Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy etc and less in economically backward districts like Dharmapuri, Ramanathapuram and also in remote areas like hills etc.
• Through there is no exact statistics of their numbers and sizes, it is roughly estimated that there are more than 30,000 medical practitioners in Tamil Nadu excluding 10,000 Doctors in Tamil Nadu Medical Service.
• Roughly 60% of the outpatient services, 40% of inpatients services and about 60% of laboratory services are provided by the private sector. The private sector hospitals can be classified into:-
  • Clinics
  • Polyclinics
  • Proprietorship Hospital/Nursing Homes/Maternity Hospitals/Speciality Hospitals
  • Trust Hospitals
  • Corporate Hospitals
• The Tamil Nadu Government had enacted an Act known as " Tamil Nadu Private Clinical Establishment Act 1997 " and which come into force from April 1997.
• There were several rounds of talks between the Representatives of Doctors Associations and the Government. The Doctors were insisting that the accrediation Council shall consist of only among themselves and no official shall be given any power in the committee which was not acceptable to Government. However a consensus is now developed and the Association has agreed to most of the points putforth by the Government.

Tamil Nadu State Illiness Assitance Society

• With a view to render assistance to the economically downtrodden people and suffering life threatening illnessess T.N.S.I.A.S. has been formed under the Chairmanship of Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare Department.
• Director of Medical Services is the Member Secretary.
• Under the Scheme, Government General Hospital Chennai, Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, Tirunelveli and Kikpauk Medical College Hospital, Chennai etc., have been notified as surgery performing institutions for the provisions of TNSIAS.
• The funds for scheme are provided by a State and Centre on a 1:2 basis. So far, 15 crores had been released under the scheme.

S. No.	Name of the Officer	Designation	Contact
			Land Line	Epabx Extn	Mobile
1	Dr. J.Rajamoorthy MBBS., DCH.,	Director of Medical and Rural Health Services	29510200	201	7358150599
2	Thiru. G.Kaviarasan	Financial Controller	29510176	207	7358144541
3	Vacant	Additional Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (Medl)	29510175	202	7358144382
4	Dr. D.K.Chitra, MBBS.,	Additional Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (P&D)	29510153	209	7358144519
5	Dr. D.K.Chitra, MBBS.,	Additional Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (Inspection) (i/c)			7358144508
6	Dr. Asha Frederick, MBBS.,	Additional Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (Thoracic Medicine)			7358122864
7	Thiru. P.Manivannan	Additional Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (Administration)		233	7358144619
8	Thiru. Ramesh Kumar	Joint Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (Administration)	29510179	206	9789010068
9	Dr. S.Gurunathan Kandhaiya MS (GS), MCh (PS)	Joint Director of Medical and Rural Health Servies (Medical)		248	7358144585
10	Vacant	Joint Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (Thoracic Medicine)
11	Dr. Josephine Amudha	Joint Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (CemONC)		257	7358144608
12	Dr. M.A.Elangovan, MD	Joint Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (ACTs)		258	7358144574
13	Dr. S.Gurunathan Kandhaiya MS (GS), MCh (PS)	Joint Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (NCD) (i/c)		259	7358144596
14	Vacant	Deputy Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (Administration)		259
15	Vacant	Deputy Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (Nursing)		221
16	Thiru. M.Kamalakannan	Administrative Officer		219	9444161736
17	Thiru. G.Venkobarao	Administrative Officer		217	9941010835
18	Thiru. S.Jayakumar	Administrative Officer		218	9444224505
19	Tmt. C.Sheela Wilson	Administrative Officer		220	9884054535
20	Thiru. V.Sitaraman	Deputy Superintendent of Police			9498132964
21	Tmt. P.Sharmila	Junior Administrative Officer			8838293428
22	Tmt. P.Jayanthi	Junior Administrative Officer			9444084715
23	Thiru. M.Gnanaprakasam M.A.,	Chief Accounts Officer		265	9444243110
24	Thiru. P.Ravichandran	Accounts Officer		223	9790576944
25	Thiru. P.Poomalai, Bcom, M.sc., B.Ed.,	Assistant Accounts Officer		223	9943021065
26	Vacant	Assistant Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (Internal Audit)		224
27	Vacant	Statistical Officer		263
28	Thiru. Shanmugasundaram	Publicity Officer (Thoracic Medicine)			9445242394
29	Thiru. K.Raja	Law Officer		259	9840635202