Minister Veena George Inaugurates 46 State-Level Physiotherapy Units Across Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Health Minister Veena George said that the current period has seen the most significant development in the AYUSH sector. “Major reforms have been undertaken through coordinated efforts, including the creation of new positions and the launch of projects to strengthen the sector,” she said.

Under the AYUSH Mission, funding has increased from 23 crore rupees to 210 crore rupees. New hospitals are being established, with a focus on both wellness and treatment. Infrastructure development has been prioritised across all 14 districts. As part of this initiative, the minister inaugurated 46 state-level physiotherapy units across Kerala, with the inaugural ceremony held at the East Fort District Homoeopathy Hospital.

Research in AYUSH has also received special attention. The first phase of the Ayurveda Research Centre is expected to become operational by January. Previously, AYUSH institutions lacked standardisation. NABH accreditation has been secured for 250 treatment centres, and another 250 are being prepared to meet NABH standards. In addition, 10,000 AYUSH yoga clubs have been set up across the state.

The new physiotherapy units, established at a cost of 2 crore rupees, will operate in 25 hospitals under the Indian Systems of Medicine department and 21 hospitals under the Homoeopathy department. Each unit is equipped with high-quality physiotherapy equipment and staffed with physiotherapists and multipurpose workers. This ensures that physiotherapy services will now be available in all government homoeopathy hospitals, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving patient care.

The inauguration was attended by Dr D. Sajith Babu, State Mission Director of the National AYUSH Mission; Dr M P Beena, Director of the Homoeopathy Department; Dr T D Sreekumar, Director of Ayurveda Medical Education; Dr T K Vijayan, Principal and Controlling Officer of Homoeopathy Medical Education; Dr Sheeja V P, Joint Director of the Indian Systems of Medicine Department; Dr Priyadarshini V K, Deputy Director of the Homoeopathy Department; Dr R Jayanarayanan, State Programme Manager of the National AYUSH Mission; Dr Sebastien, DMO of Thiruvananthapuram Homoeopathy; and Mini S Pai, DMO of Thiruvananthapuram ISM.