North Chennai RWAs Urge Civic Body to Appoint Staff at Healthcare Centres
Residents Demand Immediate Action on Healthcare Staffing Crisis
The Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) of North Chennai have raised serious concerns about staff shortages at urban primary healthcare centres (UPHCs) and urged the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to take immediate action.
The lack of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff has severely affected essential medical services in the region, making it difficult for residents—especially the elderly, pregnant women, and low-income families—to access timely healthcare.
Understaffed Healthcare Centres Struggling to Meet Demand
Several UPHCs in areas like Tondiarpet, Royapuram, and Madhavaram are facing an acute shortage of medical professionals. According to RWAs, the situation has led to:
✅ Long waiting hours for consultations
✅ Limited maternity care services
✅ Lack of specialists for chronic illness management
✅ Reduced availability of medicines and diagnostic tests
Residents argue that despite the growing population in North Chennai, healthcare infrastructure has not been upgraded adequately.
RWAs Call for Immediate Staff Recruitment
The RWAs have formally submitted requests to the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and Tamil Nadu Health Department, demanding:
🔹 Immediate recruitment of doctors and nurses for urban healthcare centres
🔹 Upgraded medical facilities to handle increased patient load
🔹 Extended working hours for better accessibility
🔹 Specialist services for pediatrics, gynecology, and geriatrics
Civic Body’s Response & Next Steps
Officials from the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) acknowledged the shortage and stated that they are reviewing staffing requirements across public healthcare centres. A senior health official assured that new recruitment drives are being considered to fill vacant positions.
However, RWAs insist that bureaucratic delays must be avoided, as healthcare is an urgent necessity, not a luxury.
The Bigger Picture: Healthcare in Chennai Needs an Overhaul
Healthcare experts highlight that staff shortages in public hospitals and urban health centres are a widespread issue, not limited to North Chennai. Tamil Nadu’s urban population is growing rapidly, yet government-run medical facilities struggle with **limited manpower
