District Entomologists play a critical role in vector-borne disease control, and the existing vacancies may adversely impact the planning and monitoring of dengue control activities. With dengue cases on the rise, the post of District Entomologists is lying vacant in more than 40 of the 45 Health Unit Districts (HUD) in Tamil Nadu.
Each HUD has one District Entomologist, while there are senior entomologist positions in government medical colleges and at the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine. In fact, the association had already urged the State government and the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) to urgently fill the vacant District Entomologist posts, saying that the shortage could affect vector borne disease surveillance and control, particularly ahead of the Northeast monsoon. The association urged the TNPSC to expedite the pending court cases and release the final results at the earliest. It also requested the State government and DPH to immediately fill the vacant posts to strengthen disease surveillance and control measures. Officials of the DPH could not be reached for their response.
As a result, more than 40 HUDs were functioning without a District Malaria Officer/District Entomologist/Senior Entomologist. 48 posts of the total 60 sanctioned posts of Senior Entomologists were vacant in the State, according to the Tamil Nadu Public Health Entomologists Association. It also pointed out that the TNPSC had notified another 13 Senior Entomologist posts for 2025-26.
The association said District Entomologists play a crucial role in vector-borne disease surveillance, prevention, monitoring and control, and assist District Health Officers for better implementation of the programme.
