Kerala’s public health sector has made significant strides, transforming into a state-of-the-art, people-centric system with advanced facilities spanning from local taluk hospitals to major medical colleges. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced this progress on Monday, November 3, during the inauguration of a new multi-specialty block at Kuthuparamba Taluk Hospital. The event also marked the launch of a state-level pilot project for HPV vaccination, a crucial step in preventing cervical cancer, alongside the introduction of a new digital mammogram machine.
The Chief Minister highlighted the HPV vaccination program as another major milestone in Kerala’s healthcare journey. Following its pilot phase in Kannur, the initiative will be rolled out statewide. This vaccination targets Plus One and Plus Two students and is specifically designed to combat cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer affecting women in India.
Underscoring the government’s steadfast commitment to healthcare reforms, Mr. Vijayan detailed the impressive new 12-story multi-specialty block at Kuthuparamba. Built at a cost of ₹59.23 crore, the facility boasts 171 beds, a nine-bed medical ICU, four modern operation theaters, a labor room with four suites, and 12 outpatient departments, offering a comprehensive range of medical specialties.
He further noted Kerala’s exceptional achievements in public health, pointing out that its infant and maternal mortality rates are now on par with those of developed nations. The state’s average life expectancy of 77 years also comfortably surpasses the global average of 73.5. These impressive outcomes, he explained, are a direct result of sustained governmental efforts, particularly through initiatives like the Aardram Mission, which successfully upgraded primary health centers into family health centers and significantly bolstered disease prevention strategies.
Health Minister Veena George, who presided over the function, lauded the Kuthuparamba Taluk Hospital as a prime example of Kerala’s evolving healthcare landscape. She emphasized that cancer treatment is now accessible at the taluk level, ensuring that even economically weaker sections can receive vital care. Ms. Veena also shared that the state has established 5,417 public health centers, upgraded 740 to family health centers, and expanded dialysis facilities to over 150 hospitals. In a remarkable advancement, the number of cath labs in government hospitals has surged from just four to 22 within the last nine years. Furthermore, the Malabar Cancer Centre has achieved a national first by developing CAR T-cell therapy.
The inauguration, held at the Kuthuparamba Municipal Stadium, was also attended by V. Sivadasan, MP, and MLAs K.K. Shailaja and K.P. Mohanan, alongside numerous local representatives, officials, and dedicated public health workers.