Govt. to ensure equal priority for all medical systems: Kerala Health Minister

The Kerala State government has pledged to guarantee equal priority for all medical systems, including traditional practices such as ayurveda, homeopathy, and unani, alongside allopathy, according to Health Minister K. Muraleedharan. Speaking on Saturday after the inauguration of the new homeopathic hospital building in Sooranad North, Muraleedharan announced that both Central and State funds designated for the AYUSH department will be fully utilized to bolster and expand traditional healthcare infrastructure.

Representatives from the homeopathy sector have already been incorporated into expert committees established to study and combat infectious diseases. The government is also implementing 24-hour specialty casualty facilities at General and Taluk hospitals, with Punalur Taluk Hospital selected as the first site for the initiative.

Additionally, an MRI scanning machine will be installed at Punalur Hospital using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, which will benefit pilgrims visiting Sabarimala and the general public. Muraleedharan revealed that projects worth ₹5 crore have been approved to improve basic infrastructure at Sasthamcotta Taluk Hospital.

He addressed long-standing operational issues in the health sector by stating that the outdated staffing pattern from the 1960s will be revised soon to address staffing shortages. Recruitment processes to fill vacant doctor positions across State medical institutions will be expedited to streamline patient care. The inaugural event was attended by Ullas Kovoor, MLA, and Kodikunnil Suresh, MP.