Keralam plans Bill to regulate high treatment costs in private hospitals

Keralam plans Bill to regulate high treatment costs in private hospitals left Keralam Health Minister K. Muraleedharan  special arrangement special arrangement Health Minister K. Muraleedharan tells Assembly that govt to introduce Bill in next session, says govt agrees in principle to the need to regulate private hospitals, many of which are under management of foreign companies THIRUVANANTHAPURAM The Keralam government will introduce a Bill in the next Assembly session to regulate high medical treatment costs in private hospitals, Health Minister K.

Muraleedharan told the Assembly on Monday (October 26, 2026). He was responding to a question from Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA K.N. Balagopal on the steps being taken by the government to regulate the trend of some major hospitals, in which global private equity firms now have big stakes, inflating treatment costs. Former Health Ministers accuse govt. of corporatising public health sector Former Health Ministers accuse govt.

of corporatising public health sector Former Health Ministers P.K. Sreemathy, K.K. Shailaja and Veena George accuse Health Minister K. Muraleedharan of trivialising the issues in the sector and handling the department affairs without the diligence it deserved Former Health Ministers accuse govt. of corporatising public health sector storyline 1 The Minister said the government agreed in principle to the need to regulate private hospitals, many of which were now under the management of foreign companies.

He said that while the costs for treatment as well as room rents have increased drastically, insurance companies are at times refusing claims, causing difficulties to the common people. Health destination project Responding to another question, Mr. Muraleedharan said the government was preparing a project to transform Keralam into a health destination which will be sought after by foreigners as well as those from other States.

The Principal Secretary (Health department), Director of the Health Department and the Director of Medical Education will coordinate these activities. What is the controversy over the spinal muscular atrophy drug in Keralam? Explained What is the controversy over the spinal muscular atrophy drug in Keralam? Explained After the government switched the drug in its SMA programme from branded to generic, parents of children living with SMA have been asking for a switch back to the branded version; meanwhile the label on a drug bottle has sparked concerns, and political parties have now latched on to the issue What is the controversy over the spinal muscular atrophy drug in Keralam?

Explained storyline 1 A major campaign for early detection and control of lifestyle diseases is also underway. As part of this, heath workers will visit houses and identify those needing attention through a survey and preliminary screening. The pilot project will be implemented in the Vattiyurkavu, Idukki and Nilambur Assembly constituencies first and later expanded across the State, said Mr.

Muraleedharan.