Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 2 (UNI) Kerala’s healthcare sector has witnessed transformative changes, with projects worth over ₹10,000 crore implemented to strengthen public health infrastructure, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
“Despite criticism, we executed development projects worth ₹62,000 crore in five years, and today that figure has risen to ₹90,000 crore. In the health sector alone, KIIFB has enabled projects worth over ₹10,000 crore,” he said.
Inaugurating 15 new projects worth more than ₹180 crore at the Government Medical College Hospital here yesterday, the Chief Minister said the new facilities would revolutionise patient care and ease the treatment burden for ordinary citizens.
He noted that the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, considered the pride of Kerala’s healthcare system, serves not only the state but also neighbouring regions. “In the past nine years alone, ₹2,069 crore has been allocated to strengthen this institution, significantly improving infrastructure and patient care,” he added.
Vijayan underlined the crucial role of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), saying several projects that could not have been implemented through the budget alone were made possible with its support.
At the same time, he cautioned against the growing trend of large corporate investments in private hospitals. “Though names and management remain unchanged at the surface level, this has escalated treatment costs and poses a new challenge to Kerala’s healthcare sector. This is where government medical colleges become even more relevant,” he said.
The Chief Minister described the state’s ‘Aardram Mission’ as a milestone reform, under which around ₹1,600 crore is spent annually to provide free treatment. “Recently, the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, while visiting Wayanad, praised Kerala’s healthcare system. That reflects the true strength of the state’s medical sector. Thousands depend on government hospitals, and we must strive to move further ahead from the top position we already hold nationally,” he added.
Health Minister Veena George, who also addressed the gathering, criticised attempts to project the health department as being in decline, alleging that such efforts were aimed at replacing government hospitals with private players.
“Government hospitals must remain for the people, especially the poor. No matter the attempts to undermine them, we will continue to serve with greater strength,” she asserted.
Highlighting strides in medical education, the Minister said two new medical colleges and 15 nursing colleges had been launched, in addition to an increase of more than 80 postgraduate seats and the introduction of a fellowship programme.
She said new departments in critical care, genetics, geriatrics, and paediatric interventional neurology had been established, while the SAT Hospital had been designated one of the 10 Centres of Excellence in the country for rare diseases.
“The CARE project for rare disease treatment has won national recognition, and for the first time, a government medical college in Kerala has secured a place in the national ranking list,” she added.
