Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 22 – A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in the Kerala Assembly has highlighted significant deficiencies in the state’s public health infrastructure and management between 2016 and 2022. The report points to shortages in manpower, poor infrastructure, and inadequate drug supplies, with facilities failing to meet Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS).
The audit reveals that Kerala has the second-highest per capita out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare in India, exacerbating challenges for the state’s population.
The report underscores critical staff shortages, with a lack of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and lab technicians across hospitals. Accredited social health activists (ASHAs) are also in short supply, with deficits ranging from 3% to 33% in 13 of the state’s 14 districts.
“The deficiency of manpower in public hospitals not just affects the public’s ability to access quality healthcare but also exerts pressure on the available resources, thereby compromising on effective delivery of healthcare services,” the report noted.
District and taluk hospitals were found lacking basic patient amenities, including seating, toilets, drinking water, and ramps. Family Health Centres, intended to be a cornerstone of the Aardram Mission, failed to deliver enhanced services due to inadequate infrastructure and staffing.
The audit criticized the implementation of several centrally sponsored schemes:
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY): Delays in insurance claim payments were noted, and essential support units at district and state levels were not formed.
- Maternal and Child Health Programs: Beneficiary coverage under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) was described as low.
The report flagged irregularities in the procurement of medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising questions about resource management during a critical period.
The doctor-to-population ratio was found to be most adverse in two districts, while ASHA worker shortages compounded issues in rural areas. The lack of resources and manpower has left key initiatives, like the Aardram Mission, unable to meet their objectives of providing affordable and timely healthcare.
The CAG report called for urgent corrective measures to address these systemic issues, emphasizing the need for better planning, execution, and oversight to ensure healthcare access for all in Kerala.
