Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J. P. Nadda chaired a virtual review meeting with K. Muraleedharan, Minister for Health, Government of Kerala, to review the implementation and progress of key health programmes and public health initiatives in the state.
The meeting reviewed the implementation and progress of major health programmes and initiatives in Kerala, including the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, Free Drugs Service Initiative, Free Diagnostic Service Initiative, Human Resources for Health under the National Health Mission (NHM), medical education, drug regulation, and food safety and standards.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the discussions focused on strengthening healthcare delivery, improving access to medicines and diagnostic services, augmenting health infrastructure and human resources, enhancing medical education, strengthening regulatory oversight of drugs and blood banks, and reinforcing food safety systems across the state.
During the meeting, Muraleedharan apprised the Union Health Minister of the progress made by Kerala under various health programmes and outlined the initiatives undertaken by the state government to strengthen healthcare delivery. He also briefed the Union Health Minister on key challenges and areas requiring support from the Centre and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to achieve national health priorities.
Nadda acknowledged the efforts made by the state in implementing health initiatives and assured continued support from the Government of India to strengthen Kerala’s healthcare system. He also highlighted the importance of continued Centre-State collaboration for the implementation of national health programmes and improving health outcomes.
The meeting concluded with both the Centre and the state reaffirming their commitment to strengthening public health systems and ensuring accessible, affordable, equitable and quality healthcare services for all citizens through continued cooperation and implementation of health programmes.
The meeting was attended virtually by Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Kerala; Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (NHM), Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Dr Rajeev Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India; Amit Sharma, Executive Director, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI); and senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and the Government of Kerala.