Thiruvananthapuram, January 28 (IANS). Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday rejected the opposition’s allegation in the Assembly that the state’s public health system was on the verge of collapse. He said that even today Kerala remains a national model for the country in the health sector.
Responding to an adjournment motion moved by the Congress-led UDF to discuss the alleged “serious health crisis”, the Chief Minister said the opposition’s criticism ignores the structural reforms and large-scale investments made by the government.
Vijayan said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kerala developed extensive health facilities and successfully handled an unprecedented public health emergency. He said major reforms have been implemented since the LDF government came to power, including programs like ‘Ardram Mission’, which aim to upgrade government hospitals, improve patient care and strengthen primary health services.
The Chief Minister alleged that some isolated incidents were being projected as a failure of the entire system. He warned that such claims undermine the credibility of a public health system that has received global recognition.
Vijayan said that wherever any lapse comes to light, the government intervenes and corrective steps are taken, which are part of the continuous reform process.
This reaction of the Chief Minister came from Leader of Opposition V.D. This came after Satheesan’s sharp speech, in which he accused the government of the collapse of health services. Citing negligence, staff shortage and lack of emergency facilities, Satheesan said the state’s health system is “on ventilators”.
He cited several cases of medical errors, delays in treatment and inadequate infrastructure in medical colleges and district hospitals. Satheesan also alleged that inquiry committees set up by the health department rarely lead to accountability and that many medical colleges started during the UDF rule have been neglected.
Apart from this, he raised the issue of rising private medical expenses, saying that common people are being forced to get treatment in expensive private hospitals.
This debate regarding the health system has once again exposed the deep divide in Kerala politics. While the opposition is adamant on calling the system in crisis, the government is defending its reforms and crisis management record.
In view of the upcoming assembly elections, this conflict over an important social and political issue like health is expected to intensify in the coming months.
–IANS
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