In a move to improve the state's health infrastructure, Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan said the government would recruit more doctors. The minister also announced that the government will continue its plan to introduce 24-hour specialist services in district and general hospitals within six months.
"The government's goal is to bring government hospitals to high standards. We are working to equip government hospitals so that patients get maximum treatment. Those efforts are currently underway," he said.
Regarding the provision of round-the-clock specialist services in hospitals, Muraleedharan said there was no change in the government's decision. "There is no change to that. Because it is a declared decision of the government. Twenty-four-hour night service is guaranteed in all general hospitals," he said.
The recruitment process to fill the vacancies has already begun and they would join soon. "Vacancies will be filled. The process to fill the vacancies has already begun. Just the other day, around 400 doctors from the PSC rank list were called for advice memos. Of them, 134 turned up and all of them were given the memos," he said.
Previously, the Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) had raised concerns about 24-hour specialist services in hospitals, to which Muraleedharan said doctors could approach him directly to discuss their issues.
"They expressed several concerns, and they shared their points with me. I told them only one thing: anyone can come and meet the Health Minister directly. There is no need to issue statements in the media. You can meet the minister directly regarding any matter," he said.
(With agency inputs)
