24x7 specialty care at Punalur taluk hospital is a success, says Keralam Health Minister
Kerala's Health Minister announced that the 'Pratheeksha' scheme, which provides 24x7 specialty care at the Punalur taluk hospital, has successfully reduced patient referrals by 30%. The government plans to expand this model to four additional districts by the end of October.
Why it matters
Demonstrates a scalable public health intervention to reduce overcrowding in major medical institutions.
The State government’s Pratheeksha scheme to provide 24x7 specialty care services at selected district and general hospitals has proved successful in the Punalur taluk hospital where it was piloted, a statement issued by Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has said. The initiative is aimed at easing overcrowding at medical college hospitals and making specialist care available without delay.
Mr. Muraleedharan said that an evaluation of the functioning of the Punalur taluk hospital showed a remarkable change after the services were rolled out on an experimental basis.
The Minister claimed that the availability of round-the-clock specialty services has benefited the public and that Punalur MLA C. Ajayaprasad had expressed his satisfaction with the manner in which the scheme had been progressing.
At a review meeting chaired by the Health Minister, the hospital superintendent reported that referral cases from the Punalur taluk hospital had been reduced by 30%.
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