Kerala moves towards full digitisation of health sector: Veena George

Web desk

Published on Oct 29, 2025, 05:23 PM | 3 min read

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on October 28 announced that the State has taken major steps towards complete digitisation of its health sector. She was speaking at an award function held at the Tagore Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram, where several Health Department awards were distributed and new digital initiatives were launched.

More than 900 hospitals in the State have adopted the e-health system, and e-offices have been introduced across the department.

“Our goal is to achieve full digitisation in the health sector. Efforts are being made in that direction,” the Minister said.

She added that several advanced technologies have already been introduced in public health institutions, including robotic surgery, the G-Gaiter system, and blood bank traceability. Robotic physiotherapy has also been made available at the Noolpuzha Family Health Centre.

The Minister said that Kerala has succeeded in bringing down the infant mortality rate to a level lower than that of the United States. Over the past nine and a half years, the State’s health sector has seen major improvements in infrastructure and services, she said.

The State has set up 5,415 People’s Health Centres (PHCs) and 308 Urban People’s Health Centres. Of the 885 Primary Health Centres, 740 have been upgraded to Family Health Centres with better infrastructure, laboratory facilities, and extended outpatient services. The government also aims to provide insurance coverage for all residents.

From next year, the Aardra Keralam award will include compliance with the Public Health Act as one of its criteria. Local bodies will be asked to prepare micro plans to strengthen preventive health activities, and their performance will be part of the award assessment.

A major initiative under way is the Diagnostic Hub-and-Spoke Model, which will connect 1,300 laboratories across the State. Through this network, 131 types of tests can be conducted. Eligible individuals will get free tests, while others will be charged affordable rates. The project is being implemented in collaboration with India Post.

The Minister said Kerala has also made progress in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Two hospitals have been made “antibiotic-smart,” and 100 more health centres will follow. The State, with support from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is also conducting studies on the treatment and prevention of amoebic encephalitis.

Local Self-Government Minister M. B. Rajesh, who presided over the event, said local bodies play a crucial role in improving public health.

“They have clear responsibilities in areas that affect people’s lives, and they are performing them effectively,” he said.

Awards distributed at the event included the Aardra Keralam Awards for 2022–23 and 2023–24, Kayakalp Awards for 2022–23, 2023–24, and 2024–25, the MBHFI Award, and the Nurses Awards for 2022–23 and 2023–24. The State-level launch of the Diagnostic Hub-and-Spoke Model, the PH App, KASP Health Mobile App and Web Portal, and the Shruti Tharangam project logo and portal also took place.