Thiruvananthapuram: The state govt will introduce round-the-clock specialty treatment services at district and general hospitals across the state within six months, health minister K Muraleedharan said.The initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted and quality healthcare closer to people’s homes, the minister said. In the first phase, at least one hospital in each district will provide 24-hour specialty services, which will be expanded to other hospitals in a phased manner.Specialties, including general medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics and gynaecology, will be covered under the programme. The availability of specialist treatment, including surgeries, during night hours at district and general hospitals is also expected to help reduce the heavy patient load at medical colleges.The minister said the initiative is part of govt’s efforts to establish patient-friendly hospitals by recognising treatment, medicines and beds as patients’ rights and taking specialist healthcare services to the grassroots level.Dr Shinu K S, additional director of the health department’s administration and training wing, has been appointed as the special officer to coordinate the implementation of the project.Under the special officer’s supervision, the existing facilities at hospitals will be assessed and the necessary arrangements will be made to ensure round-the-clock specialty services. The availability of medical, nursing and paramedical staff will also be assessed and personnel deployed based on requirements.Govt will make the necessary infrastructure arrangements at the hospitals. The special officer has also been tasked with coordinating with the officials concerned and institutions, ensuring time-bound implementation, monitoring the progress of the project and submitting regular reports.
