For the past few years, the Kerala government has been trying to transform the state into a medical hub. Making its intentions clear, such programmes were also included in many budgets.
The Kerala Budget 2024, too has laid out plans to invigorate the state's healthcare sector, including a stem cell/bone marrow transplantation treatment division at the the Kottayam Medical College, a sports injury treatment division at the Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospitals and a plan to install a surgical robot at the MCH in the state capital.
However, the FM has not set aside any fund for the Kasaragod MCH.
Here are a few key points for healthcare mentioned in the budget:
1) Specialised facilities including Govt Medical Colleges for the treatment of patients including those from abroad.
2) Rs 35 crore for Life Science Park, Thiruvananthapuram (Rs 15 crore for various construction activities and Rs 20 crore for Medical Devices Park).
3) Rs 2052.23 crore for the Medical and Public Health sector.
4) Rs 6.60 crore for the development of mental health centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode districts.
5) Rs 2 crore for the control of communicable diseases and Rs 11.93 crore for the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
6) Rs 10 crore for improving the health infrastructure and setting up of de-addiction centres in tribal and coastal areas.
7) Rs 80 crore for the functioning of 315 advanced life support ambulances under the ‘Kaniv’ Scheme.
8) Rs 24.88 crore for the various activities of ‘Ardram Mission’.
9) A government remittance account for those who are ready to donate amounts related to hospitals will be arranged.
10)Rs 9.88 crore for setting up new dialysis units and for providing facilities including emergency medicines in major hospitals.
11) 'School Health and Wellness Programme’ under ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme was announced for health checkups of around 60 lakh students in 16,240 LP/ UP/ HS/ HSS under the aegis of public health centres, preparation of its electronic database and impart training on first aid.
12) Rs 3.10 crore for the School Health and Wellness Programme in 50% LP Schools and other schools with classes up to 12th standard, by utilising state plan funds.
13) Rs 465.20 crore as state share for National Health Mission Scheme
14) Rs 27.60 crore for the ‘e-health programme’ implemented in the health sector utilizing Information and Communication Technology.
15) Rs 7 crore for the renovation and purchase of new equipment for the Government Analyst Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram, Regional Laboratories at Kannur, Ernakulum and Kozhikode and District Laboratory, Pathanamthitta.
16) Rs 5.52 crore for the Drugs Control Department.
17) Rs 29 crore is earmarked to install a surgical robot at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.
18) Rs 22.79 crore for the development of the 6 Dental Colleges and ₹ 13.78 crore for nursing colleges of the state.
19) Rs 13 crore for solid waste management scheme for Medical College Hospitals.
20) Rs 14 crore for the purchase of cancer treatment equipment as a part of strengthening the oncology departments at Kottayam, Thrissur and Kozhikkode Medical Colleges.
21) Rs 25.70 crore for AMC expenses of equipment in Medical Colleges.
22) Rs 3.50 crore to set up stroke centres in Thrissur, Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram Medical colleges.
23) Rs 1.50 crore to set up stem cell/bone marrow transplantation treatment in Kottayam Medical College.
24) Rs 1 crore for establishing the sports injury treatment division and sports performance improvement division at Kozhikkode and Thiruvananthapuram Medical Colleges
25) Rs 28 crore for Malabar Cancer Centre. Rs 14.50 crore is earmarked for Cochin Cancer Research Centre.
