MADURAI: The Tamil Nadu Public Health Entomologists Association (TNPHEA) has given an important public health alert to State government about the urgency to fill up all vacant posts of senior entomologists in several districts in the State because they are important in the control of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, chikungunya, scrub typhus etc.
A representation which was signed by TNPHEA secretary Mr.R.Varatharaj was already submitted last month to Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission and a copy was sent to the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Chennai urging them to publish the exam results soon for senior entomologist posts and fill the vacant posts in preparedness for monsoon period activities in districts.
“The Department of Public Health (DPH) has sent a proposal to TNPSC to fill up 33 vacancies of senior entomologist posts for the year 2024-25 by direct recruitment. Following this, the process was started and already written examination, physical certificate verification and oral interview were completed. Marks were published in TNSPC website on March 6th 2026, but candidate selection list is not yet published by TNPSC and this is a matter of concern,” Mr.R.Varatharaj had pointed out in the association’s representation letter with all details which was given to TNPSC Secretary in July 2026.
WHY ENTOMOLOGISTS ARE CRUCIAL?
The association had taken to Tamil Nadu Government’s attention about the importance of entomologists in diseases control programs.
“Role of an entomologist in district level is indispensable in vector borne disease control programmes in Tamil Nadu, especially to prepare for South West monsoon and North East Monsoon periods at the time of heavy rains…. As on date, totally 48 posts of senior entomologists are vacant out of 60 sanctioned senior entomologist posts in our State. Because of this, more than 40 health unit districts are without District Malaria Officer/ District Entomologist/ Senior Entomologist. Their role is important in mosquito control study and to assist district health officers for checking vector borne diseases. So, we are appealing to Tamil Nadu State government to take quick steps during this disease transmission period,” the Tamil Nadu Public Health Entomologists Association has said in its July month representation to TNPSC and a copy of that appeal was sent to ‘Lotus Times’ media in Madurai on August 27th 2026.
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