Tribal Hub Bringing Comprehensive Healthcare to Remote Areas
The state’s first Tribal Hub (Tribal Multipurpose Centre) has been established in Valamthode, Malappuram district. Set up under the Health Department, the Valamthode Tribal Hub in Chaliyar Grama Panchayat is the first facility of its kind in Kerala, aimed at ensuring comprehensive healthcare for tribal communities living in remote and difficult-to-access areas.
The centre has been designed to provide multiple government services under one roof in regions where access to basic facilities and departmental services is limited. In addition to services currently available through public health centres, the hub offers extended support by coordinating with various departments, including the Health Department, ICDS, ITDP, and the Local Self-Government Department. The services of a Junior Public Health Nurse are ensured at the centre. Oorumithram ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, and other field-level staff from tribal settlements in the Valamthode region will also function in coordination with the hub.
Beyond healthcare, the Tribal Hub will assist tribal residents in accessing government-run self-employment training centres and support educated tribal youth in securing jobs in government, semi-government, and private sectors according to their qualifications. The centre will also operate as a single-window system, providing information on various socio-economic welfare schemes. Additionally, it will serve as a venue for health-related awareness programmes.
Valamthode is a hilly region in Chaliyar Grama Panchayat, located along the border of Malappuram and Kozhikode districts. Tribal residents from settlements such as Vendekkumpoyil, Ambumala, Supreme Nagar, Thottappally, Nayadampoyil, and Kandilappara previously had to travel nearly 37 kilometres to reach the Chaliyar Family Health Centre. Poor transportation facilities, especially through the Churam Road, made access to medical care extremely difficult. Recognising these challenges, the Tribal Hub was constructed at a cost of ₹67.5 lakh to ensure accessible and comprehensive healthcare services for the tribal population.
