Health Minister K.G. Arunraj on Wednesday said that a case has been filed against the three hospitals and doctors involved in a kidney racket before the Namakkal Judicial Magistrate Court. The Tamil Nadu Medical Council has been requested to take disciplinary action against the doctors involved.

Last year, a kidney racket involving donors at Pallipalayam in Namakkal was unearthed and the kidney transplant licenses of two private hospitals were suspended. Giving an update on the case, the Minister stated that a transparent investigation was being conducted and action would be taken in accordance with the law, without any bias or political interference. He told reporters that the case has been filed in the court and was yet to be numbered. “We have recommended disciplinary action against the doctors involved to the Tamil Nadu Medical Council,” he said.

ON NEET: He said that Tamil Nadu is against NEET and the TVK government has the same stand. “NEET is against rural students and is against State rights,” he noted. A resolution seeking exemption from NEET has already been passed in the Assembly, and steps for another resolution may be taken. The original suit filed in the Supreme Court will be followed up appropriately, he said.

He said the permanent solution would be moving education and health to the State list. The Minister wondered why the Union government was insisting that it should conduct a common entrance examination for all States, when States have spent their taxes to establish medical colleges over the years. “It is not necessary for the Union government to insist that they should exclusively conduct admissions for these colleges.”

He also added that when a centralised examination was held, there are chances for paper leaks. “It is not for the first time that question paper leaks have happened,” he said, adding: “The Union government should stop being stubborn and allow States whether it is to conduct medical entrance examinations or conduct admissions. They have so many other responsibilities such as external affairs, defence, finance and economic management. Like law and order, health and education should be handed to the States.”

DENGUE CASES: Noting that the incidence of dengue was slightly high now, Dr. Arunraj said in 2024, there were nearly 23,000 cases up to July 21, while it was 11,000 cases in 2025 and 9,000 cases so far in 2026. Doctors in the field practice have given feedback that dengue cases are increasing, he said.

“The government is taking all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of dengue. Domestic breeding checkers have taken up mosquito control works in urban and rural areas,” he said, urging the public to extend cooperation to the government and prevent stagnation of water in and around their houses.

Committees have been formed to inquire into complaints of excess fee collection by private medical colleges, he said. He also said that steps would be taken for rabies control. The Minister also added that there was a need for more specialists in government hospitals across the State and would be addressed. This includes neurosurgery, cardiology and nephrology.

On the occasion, he inaugurated 10-bed Intensive Care Units established at 11 district headquarters hospitals through Corporate Social Responsibility contribution of Rs. 7.70 crore by HDFC Bank Parivartan Foundation, a press release.

Published - July 22, 2026 07:02 pm IST