Infrastructure Development
1. Aardram Mission
Aardram Mission is a key initiative in the health services sector, launched during 2016-17, with the objective of enhancing healthcare infrastructure. The primary objectives of the project is to upgrade outpatient (OP) services in district, general, and taluk hospitals, transform community health centres (CHCs) into block family health centres (BFHCs), and convert primary health centres (PHCs) into family health centres (FHCs).
Among the 17 district hospitals selected for OP upgrades, work has been completed in 14. Of the 43 taluk hospitals, 19 have undergone OP improvements, while work is ongoing in 14 institutions.
To facilitate the transformation of CHCs into BFHCs, funds were allocated for 127 centres, of which 84 have been completed. Out of the 885 PHCs selected for conversion into FHCs, 711 have been completed, with work progressing in 61 locations. Additionally, out of 24 institutions identified for strengthening CHCs, seven have been completed, and work is in progress at eight locations.
A total of ₹258.93 crore has been allocated for strengthening community health centres under the mission.
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2. KIIFB
The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) plays a crucial role in the development of the state's healthcare infrastructure. During the previous government’s tenure, administrative approval was granted for projects worth ₹3,499.48 crore, facilitating construction work in 44 health institutions using KIIFB funds. Under the current government, additional administrative approval of ₹1,198.25 crore has been granted for 29 new projects.
Among the completed projects, the construction of Ernakulam General Hospital, Punalur Taluk Hospital (Kollam), and General Hospital Alappuzha has been successfully concluded, and these facilities are now operational. Additionally, a new block at Payyannur Taluk Hospital (Kannur) has been completed and inaugurated. The Ottapalam Taluk Hospital has also been completed and handed over to the Health Department. The construction of Taluk Hospitals in Chittoor and Adimali is nearing completion and will soon be handed over to the government.
Currently, construction is in progress at 33 institutions, including Adoor General Hospital, Kannur, Chengannur, and Palakkad District Hospitals, as well as Taluk Hospitals in Payyannur, Kozhenchery, Neendakara, Chittoor, Alathur, Cherthala, Kundara, Karunagappally, Kunnamkulam, Balussery, Feroke, Parassala, Malayinkeezhu, Kothamangalam, and the Thalassery Women and Children's Hospital. These projects are expected to be completed during the tenure of the current government.
3. NABARD
During the previous government’s tenure, administrative approval was granted for 21 construction projects worth ₹319.97 crore under the NABARD scheme, spanning Tranches 22, 24, 25, and 26. Of these, NABARD funds have been fully utilized in 13 institutions, while construction work in the remaining institutions is progressing steadily.
Under the current government, administrative approval has been received for construction projects worth ₹219.99 crore under NABARD Tranches 27 to 30, covering 13 health institutions. Construction work is actively progressing in three of these institutions, while work in the others is also underway.
4. State Scheme
During the previous government’s tenure, administrative approval was granted for 39 projects across 35 health institutions, amounting to ₹105 crore. Of these, 16 projects have been completed, while work on 10 projects is currently in progress.
Under the current government, administrative approval has been granted for 54 projects in 50 institutions, with a total allocation of ₹163.82 crore. Among these, 15 projects have been completed, and work is ongoing for 12 projects.
5. Isolation Wards
Under the Aardram scheme for 2021-22, it was decided to construct isolation wards at 90 locations, with 88 institutions under the Health Department selected for implementation. Currently, isolation wards have been inaugurated in 49 institutions, while construction is ongoing in 30 institutions.
Although construction has been completed at CHC Kesavapuram (TVM) and CHC Pulpally (WYD), the inauguration is yet to take place. Additionally, construction work at four institutions - CHC Vellarada (TVM) at 95% completion, CHC Ilamdesam (IDK) at 82.50%, CHC Idayazham (KTM) at 92.50%, and CHC Varapetty (EKM) at 72.50% - is in its final stages.
6. Job Creation
Between 2016 and 2021, a total of 3,360 posts were created in the Health Department as part of the Aardram scheme. Currently, an additional 965 posts have been created. In total, 4,325 posts have been established in the Health Department over the tenure of these two governments.
