Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), May 25 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Revenue Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan on Monday clarified his decision to undergo medical treatment at a private hospital amid questions over the ruling TVK government’s stated position that ministers should avail treatment at government hospitals.
The clarification comes after Minister Arunraj had earlier said that TVK ministers would rely on government hospitals for medical treatment.
Sengottaiyan faced questions from reporters regarding why he had chosen a private medical facility instead of a government hospital.
Speaking to reporters at Coimbatore Airport on Monday morning, Sengottaiyan said his hospital visit was part of a routine health examination and not for any serious medical issue.
He explained that due to an extremely busy work schedule, he had been unable to undergo his regular medical check-ups for the past eight months.
The Minister said he generally undergoes physical examinations twice a year as part of a standard health routine. Since he had missed the schedule because of official commitments, he decided to complete all pending evaluations during his recent hospital stay.
“I usually undergo health screening twice every year. Because of work pressure, I could not complete my check-up over the last eight months. I stayed at the hospital and underwent all the required tests,” Sengottaiyan said.
He added that doctors completed all examinations during his stay and later informed him that the results were satisfactory.
Following the completion of the medical assessment, he said he was travelling to Chennai to continue with official responsibilities.
Responding directly to criticism over choosing a private hospital instead of a government facility, Sengottaiyan said the institution where he underwent treatment belonged to his relatives and that he had a long-standing association with it.
“This is a hospital run by my relatives, and I have always received treatment there. Since I get treatment and facilities there free of cost, I did not feel the need to go elsewhere. This has been my usual practice for years,” he said.
The Minister also addressed questions regarding the recent Coimbatore girl murder case and welfare schemes, saying legal action was progressing and that decisions on future schemes would ultimately be taken by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay based on the government’s financial situation.
–IANS
aal/skp