States » SouthPosted at: Oct 31 2026 10:29PM


Kerala announces comprehensive healthcare measures to prevent infant deaths in Attappady

Palakkad, Oct 31 (UNI) Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has announced a comprehensive package of healthcare interventions in Attappady, focusing on preventing infant deaths through improved neonatal care, maternal nutrition, specialist medical services and emergency healthcare facilities.
The Minister announced the measures after visiting Attappady and assessing the ground situation through interactions with healthcare personnel and local representatives.
He directed the Health Department to ensure immediate interventions to address gaps in maternal and child healthcare, particularly in remote tribal settlements.
Kottathara Tribal Speciality Hospital will be strengthened with the appointment of additional specialist doctors, including paediatricians, gynaecologists and anaesthesiologists, over and above its existing sanctioned strength, Muraleedharan said at a review meeting in Agali.
A new block incorporating neonatal care facilities and an emergency operation theatre will be constructed at the hospital with NABARD assistance.
To improve access to specialised treatment, Kottathara hospital and Thrissur Medical College Hospital will function under a spoke-and-hub system. Paediatricians at both institutions will coordinate to provide expert medical care for newborns and children.
The radiology department at Kottathara will be strengthened by arranging the services of a radiologist from Thrissur Medical College every week. A dedicated paediatric ambulance service will also be introduced, while the neonatal and paediatric departments will be expanded in association with the medical college.
The number of field-level health workers will be increased, and a mobile medical unit will be deployed to extend medical services to remote areas of Attappady, the Minister said.
As part of measures to address nutritional deficiencies among pregnant women, the government will examine the possibility of providing cooked food under the Janani Janma Raksha scheme instead of the existing financial assistance of Rs 2,000. The proposal will be discussed with the Minister of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Department.
The expert committee constituted by the Health Department to study infant deaths in Attappady has submitted its report. The government will examine the findings and recommendations in detail before taking further action, Muraleedharan said.
District Collector Sudheer K, Health Department Additional Director Dr Reetha, District Medical Officer Dr K. Bindu Thomas and National Health Mission Tribal Health Nodal Officer Dr Vidya R. Vijayan attended the review meeting.
Members of the expert committee, including State Tribal Health Nodal Officer Dr Harikumar, NHM Maternal and Child Health Nodal Officer Dr Joy John, SAT Hospital Superintendent Dr Riyas I and specialists from medical colleges in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kollam, also participated.
Presidents of the local panchayat and block panchayat and officials from various departments attended the meeting.
UNI DS
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