Hans News Service Amaravati

Thestate government has decided to appoint Dr Venkata Ramana as the in-charge director of public health (DPH). Health and medical education minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav approved the appointment on Tuesday, following which Dr Venkata Ramana will assume charge as DPH.

The appointment comes as Dr K Padmavathi, who has been serving as director of public health and family welfare for the past 33 months, is scheduled to retire on Wednesday. Dr Padmavathi had been holding additional charge as DPH in her capacity as additional director (NLEP). She served the state health and medical department in various capacities for 37 years.

The department had considered seven officers for the post. Of them, inquiries are pending against two officials over allegations, while two others did not have experience as district medical and health officers (DMHOs). Another officer had served as a DMHO only for three months on additional charge, while one more officer was due to retire in June. Against this backdrop, the government selected Dr Venkata Ramana for the post of DPH. He is currently serving as Additional Director (Disease Control Programme) in the DPH office.