Health minister K Muraleedharan
During a review meeting with health officials and local representatives, the minister acknowledged the shortage of doctors at Kottathara Tribal Speciality Hospital and said additional medical professionals would be appointed shortly. Attracting doctors to the remote region remained a challenge, he said. The radiology department at Kottathara hospital would be strengthened by ensuring that a radiologist from Thrissur Medical College Hospital visits the facility every week, he said.
The proposed measures include introducing a paediatric ambulance, expanding the hospital’s neonatal and paediatric departments and increasing the number of field-level health workers to improve medical care and monitoring in tribal settlements. A new block with newborn care facilities and an emergency operation theatre will also be constructed at the hospital with Nabard assistance. Kottathara hospital and Thrissur Medical College Hospital will be linked through a spoke-and-hub model to facilitate specialised treatment for children.
The recommendations of the expert committee investigating infant deaths would be examined before further action, he added.