Kerala's 24-hour speciality care plan at district hospitals faces doctors' staffing concerns

Health Minister K. Muraleedharan announced on Saturday (August 22, 2026) that speciality care services will be made available round-the-clock in Kerala's district and general hospitals. The initiative is expected to be implemented within six months, with the stated goal of ensuring uninterrupted, quality healthcare services for the public.

According to a statement issued by the Minister, the first phase will guarantee speciality services at one hospital in every district, with the scope to be expanded in subsequent phases. The services covered include General Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, and Gynaecology. The Minister said that providing round-the-clock services at secondary care hospitals would help reduce the overcrowding currently overwhelming medical colleges in the State.

To oversee the initiative, Shinu K.S., Additional Director (Administration and Training), has been appointed as Special Officer. His responsibilities include assessing current facilities at hospitals across Kerala and coordinating the necessary arrangements to make 24-hour speciality services operational. The Minister added that human resources, including medical, nursing, and paramedical staff, will be assessed and deployed as required. A nodal officer will coordinate with officials to implement the project promptly and report on its progress.

However, the Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) responded with a note of caution. While welcoming the goal of better and more decentralised specialist treatment facilities for the public, the association said that implementing the decision without accounting for the steadily rising workload at government hospitals and existing constraints on human resources is 'totally unacceptable'.

KGMOA pointed out that round-the-clock service provision presents significant challenges, particularly in terms of ensuring a proper stay-duty system. It cited a clear government order in force that restricts a medical officer's working hours to no more than 12 hours within a 24-hour period. To arrange the required shifts, the government must be prepared to create and fill new speciality posts, the association said.

The association stated that it will take up the issue with the government in the coming days to convey its concerns and work towards a solution that makes 24-hour service provision feasible without overburdening existing staff.