Kerala Govt plans to create 1,800 doctor posts to strengthen public healthcare

Kochi: Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan has announced that the state government will create 1,800 posts for doctors, including specialists, to strengthen government hospitals and improve the delivery of public healthcare services.

According to the news reports, the state government also plans to fill 500 vacancies for nurses and pharmacists to address staffing shortages in healthcare institutions. The minister said a letter had been sent to the Chief Minister, who also holds the Finance portfolio, regarding the proposed appointments.

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Muraleedharan made the announcement while inaugurating the construction of primary health centre buildings at Chottanikkara, Thottur and Koovappady as part of the state government's 100-day action programme.

The minister also announced that the first community kitchen in a government hospital would begin functioning at Alappuzha Medical College on January 1, 2027. A central public sector undertaking will sponsor the initiative, Asia Net News reported.

The minister further said all district hospitals would be made capable of functioning round the clock once adequate doctor services were available. The government was working to provide better facilities in public hospitals in response to the number of patients seeking treatment, he said, reports TNIE.

Emphasising the importance of teamwork, Muraleedharan said the smooth functioning of public health institutions depended on the coordinated efforts of all hospital staff, including doctors, other healthcare professionals and cleaning personnel.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that to address the excessive workload on staff at government hospitals, the Kerala government has decided to revise the staffing pattern that dates back to the 1960s, Health Minister K Muraleedharan said on Tuesday. Speaking after laying the foundation stone for a new critical care block at Government Medical College (GMC) Thiruvananthapuram, the minister said the Health Department would coordinate with the Finance Department to create additional posts and make fresh appointments across government hospitals, including primary health centres.

Also Read:Kerala Govt to revise hospital staffing pattern, create more posts