24×7 specialty care services in General, district hospitals in Keralam set to stir up a hornets’ nest
The Kerala government's plan to introduce 24/7 specialty care in district hospitals has faced backlash from medical professionals and unions. Stakeholders argue the policy was implemented without proper consultation or assessment of existing human resource shortages.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between government healthcare policy goals and the practical operational realities faced by medical staff in public health systems.
The Health Minister’s announcement that 24×7 specialty care services will be introduced in General and district hospitals is all set to stir up a hornets’ nest as the decision has come as a surprise for the stakeholders.
They say they were never consulted at any point and that there are innumerable concerns about inadequate human resources at various levels in Health Services
“We are not questioning the government’s intent behind this decision but are perturbed that this decision has not been thought through. Most hospitals under Health Services do not have more than one or two specialists per specialty per hospital. Redeploying doctors in a district to provide 24-hour service at one hospital is going to play havoc with the existing clinics/surgeries in all hospitals,” a doctor said.
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