Published Feb 21, 2026 | 8:21 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 21, 2026 | 8:21 PM
Tamil Nadu hired 2,814 temporary workers to combat COVID-19.
Synopsis: As many as 2,814 temporary workers were recruited to combat COVID; 2,146 have already received appointment orders through the Medical Recruitment Board. Another 668 workers have been made permanent now.
The Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department on Friday, 20 February, issued appointment orders to 668 temporary healthcare workers, who served as frontline warriors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It also launched an online portal to streamline internships for foreign medical graduates.
“During the COVID pandemic, thousands of healthcare workers were temporarily appointed,” a Health and Family Welfare Department statement said, adding that “none of those who served during the COVID period are left out.”
A total of 2,814 temporary workers were recruited to combat COVID, of whom 2,146 have already received appointment orders through the Medical Recruitment Board (MRB).
“After a review of their documents, 668 persons have now been issued appointment orders,” the release noted, clarifying that 59 workers will receive orders upon completion of document verification.
Highlighting its broader record, the government said that only 1,871 temporary workers were made permanent between 2014 and 2021.
“In the last five years under the present government, 5,825 temporary workers have been made permanent,” it stated.
The Directorate of Medical Education (DME) has launched an online portal to streamline internship access for foreign medical students, who previously faced procedural hurdles.
“To reduce inconvenience and travel for approvals, the Directorate of Medical Education has launched an online portal,” the release said.
Internship capacity in Tamil Nadu Government Medical Colleges has been increased to three lakh seats, with a monthly stipend of ₹25,000.
“Through this portal, students can check available vacancies and obtain appointment orders online,” it added.
The government also outlined improvements to healthcare infrastructure across the State, including the strengthening of 708 Urban Health Centres, upgrades to 19 District Headquarters Hospitals and integration of five additional district-level facilities.
Additionally, 50 Primary Health Centres and 642 sub-health centres have been reinforced.
The statement mentioned ongoing schemes such as the chief minister’s health insurance initiatives, heart and cancer care programmes, maternal and child health services, and the HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccination drive for 14-year-old girls.
It stated the state continued making significant progress in public healthcare delivery.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
