Ministers to visit Attappady on Saturday
PALAKKAD V.K. Sreekandan, MP, has attributed the increasing health problems in Attappady to conditions such as sickle cell disease and anaemia, gaps in nutrition programmes and shortcomings in emergency medical services. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan and the Minister for Welfare of SC/ST and Backward Classes K.A. Thulasi will visit Attappady on October 31 to discuss measures to address the issues, he said.
Community kitchens that provided nutritious food in 200 tribal settlements have been reduced to 35, Mr. Sreekandan said. Although anganwadis distribute nutrition supplements, there are gaps in the system. Reluctance among some tribal families to consume nutritious food also contributes to health problems, he said. Pregnant women receive nutritional supplements and guidance through home visits.
Hospitals in Attappady have staff and medicines, but emergency services need improvement, he said. Around 160 doctor posts are vacant in hospitals across Palakkad district. The government had taken steps to fill the vacancies, but fewer than half the required number of doctors attended the interviews, he said. The government has appointed an expert committee to study health issues in Attappady and recommend solutions.
The government will consider its findings and suggestions to address the problems, Mr. Sreekandan said. He also raised concerns over the mobile clinic service in the region. Of the four units that previously operated in Attappady, three are now functioning: two under the Health department and one under the Scheduled Tribes department. The fourth stopped operating in February 2023.
The Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd (KMSCL) implemented the programme using National Health Mission funds and awarded the contract to HLL through an annual tender process. The contract required the company to conduct 22 camps a month, with at least 30 people attending each camp. After the company failed to meet the target in several months, the department imposed a penalty of around ₹40 lakh.
The company refused to pay the penalty and stopped operating the unit in February, although the contract was valid until October 31. Mr. Sreekandan said the unit stopped functioning during the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s tenure and the issue was brought to public attention after the new government took office. A fresh tender would be invited after October 31 to select a contractor and determine the terms of the service, he said.
