Vision 2031 to Strengthen Kerala’s Health System, Ensure Universal Coverage: Veena George

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Sunday said “Vision 2031 for Health” will serve as a clear roadmap for the future of Kerala’s healthcare sector, with the aim of protecting families from rising treatment costs and ensuring universal health coverage.

Inaugurating the Vision 2031 international seminar, the minister said the initiative is designed to further strengthen the public health system while linking healthcare progress with social justice. “The goal of Vision 2031 is to protect every family from the burden of treatment expenses. A comprehensive plan will be formulated to ensure universal health coverage,” she said.

Veena George said Kerala’s achievements in healthcare are the result of sustained social reform movements, strong administrative support and continuous government intervention. She pointed out that the state has made major strides in recent years, including reducing the infant mortality rate to five, which is lower than that of the United States.

She said the Kerala Public Health Act has been implemented to strengthen the legal framework of public health. As part of annual health check-ups, health workers have conducted door-to-door screening and ensured follow-up treatment. The government continues to take steps to reduce the financial burden of medical expenses on families, she said, adding that Kerala provides the highest level of free treatment in the country.

The minister highlighted the launch of “Aarogyam Ananda-Akattaam Arbudam,” the country’s first campaign focused on cancer prevention and early detection. She also referred to Kerala’s model initiatives in palliative care and said doorstep services have been introduced for elderly persons with disabilities with the support of middle-level service providers at Family Health Centres.

On antimicrobial resistance, she said Kerala has implemented globally recognised measures. “Another 100 hospitals are ready to become antibiotic smart hospitals. Through strong awareness campaigns, we have successfully reduced antibiotic use significantly,” she said.

Veena George said the establishment of a dedicated organ transplantation centre marks another milestone. Kerala’s Organ Transplantation Institute is the first of its kind in India and the third in the world. The state has also demonstrated efficiency in detecting and containing diseases such as Nipah and amoebic meningoencephalitis. The low fatality rate recorded during the 2023 Nipah outbreak reflects the strength of the health system, she added.

She said the Health Awareness Calendar was released by the Chief Minister on January 1, and related activities have already begun. All local self-government institutions have prepared micro-plans and started preventive and control measures against communicable diseases. Kerala also conducts the highest number of food safety inspections and follow-up actions, she said.

The minister said Vision 2031 aims to combine Kerala’s social commitment in healthcare with a scientific approach to build a people-centred and sustainable health system for the future. Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil also addressed the seminar.