MLA P A Muhammed Riyas Slams UDF Government For Failing in Communicable Disease Control

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has completely failed in controlling communicable diseases, stated opposition MLA P A Muhammed Riyas. He accused the government of evading responsibility while infectious diseases continue to spread. Raising an adjournment motion in the Assembly, Riyas said that four districts in northern Keralam, including Kozhikode where a Nipah case was reported, currently do not have District Medical Officers. He also added that doctors who received recommendations through the PSC have not been appointed and described the government’s approach as criminal negligence.

Riyas stated that the LDF does not share the current Health Minister’s earlier view that outbreaks occur because of which political front governs the state. According to him, the opposition is willing to cooperate with the government to prevent disease transmission, but certain urgent issues require correction. He argued that the UDF government is abandoning the globally recognized “Keralam model” in healthcare.

Referring to the LDF’s previous term, he said that when the government assumed office on May 20, 2021, it was during the COVID period and the administration’s early months focused on saving lives. In contrast, he claimed the present UDF government’s initial period has been dominated by administrative disputes and announcements rather than effective governance.

Riyas listed multiple health concerns, including Nipah, mpox, Ebola, Shigella, West Nile fever, malaria, dengue, cholera, amoebic meningoencephalitis, and monkey fever. He stressed that outbreaks are not determined by which coalition is in power, but by how governments respond to them.

Citing figures presented in the Assembly, he claimed that between June 1 and June 19, 87 deaths linked to communicable diseases were reported. According to the figures he cited:

• Shigella: 7 deaths, 133 cases

• Viral fever: 13 deaths, 1,380 cases

• Diarrheal diseases: 5 deaths, 58,031 cases

• Encephalitis: 4 deaths, 14 cases

• Hepatitis (jaundice): 4 deaths, 469 cases

• Dengue: 11 deaths, 1,270 cases

• Leptospirosis: 13 deaths, 469 cases

• Amoebic meningoencephalitis: 3 deaths, 13 cases

• Fever overall: 2 deaths, 219,988 cases

• One Nipah patient remains in critical condition.

Riyas also referred to a speech made in December 2021 by current Health Minister K Muraleedharan, who was then an MP, criticizing the then-government over Nipah outbreaks. Riyas said the LDF does not subscribe to such views and emphasized that personally attacking ministers or the chief minister is not part of the party’s political culture.

He further alleged coordination failures within the Health Department. According to him, there were contradictions between statements made by the Health Minister and district officials regarding Nipah test results and patient conditions. He also cited examples involving cholera-related announcements and concerns about communication from health authorities.

Riyas claimed there has been excessive focus on transfers within the Health Department, causing internal conflicts and affecting preparedness meetings. He also alleged poor coordination between district administration, local bodies, and the Health Department.

As an example, he said the Devaswom Department requested doctors for Sabarimala duty, but the Health Department declined despite both departments being under the same minister.

He also referred to a reported COVID-related death at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital and questioned delays in obtaining medicines after Nipah cases were reported. According to him, during LDF's term, Nipah responses in Kozhikode involved meetings with elected representatives, whereas current efforts have excluded them. He argued that disease prevention efforts should involve public participation and accused the administration of becoming overly bureaucratic.

Responding to the criticism, Health Minister K Muraleedharan said that Keralam is not facing the kind of severe situation described by the opposition. He added that some officials had not adjusted to the change in government and claimed administrative changes had been made accordingly.