Kozhikode, Jun 9 (PTI) Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Tuesday said the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and support from various institutions would be utilised for the modernisation of government hospitals, asserting that such initiatives should not be misconstrued as privatisation of the public healthcare sector.
Launching the state-level edition of the ‘Kayakalpam’ public outreach programme in Kozhikode, the minister said the government would encourage organisations willing to support public hospitals by contributing to the construction of buildings and creation of facilities through CSR and other funding mechanisms.
“There are attempts to mislead people by portraying such efforts as privatisation. The objective is only to strengthen government hospitals and improve healthcare services,” he said.
The minister’s remarks came amid privatisation allegations raised by the opposition LDF against the ruling UDF regime in the health sector.
Muraleedharan said the government would mobilise maximum resources to modernise the health sector and address public grievances.
As part of the ‘Kayakalpam’ initiative, the department would assess infrastructure gaps, equipment shortages and vacancies, including those of doctors and other healthcare personnel, and take corrective measures.
He said a detailed assessment of unsafe hospital buildings would be carried out and steps taken to prevent situations where patients are forced to remain on floors due to lack of facilities.
The minister also pointed to challenges arising from pending dues to suppliers, which have reportedly affected the supply of life-saving medical equipment and medicines to hospitals.
Stressing the need to strengthen healthcare institutions at all levels, he said efficient functioning of primary health centres, community health centres and district hospitals was essential to ease pressure on medical colleges.
Muraleedharan urged MPs and MLAs to give priority to allocating their development funds for the health sector and called for the cooperation of public representatives, officials and the public in improving healthcare services.
On medical negligence complaints, he said action would be taken based on detailed inquiries and official reports.
The minister also said ongoing projects funded through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) would be completed, while decisions on launching new projects would be taken at the policy level.
Responding to a request from MP Shafi Parambil, Muraleedharan announced that the government would implement a virtual autopsy system that enables post-mortem examinations without invasive procedures. PTI LGK ROH
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