Health Minister K. Muraleedharan during his visit at Punalur Taluk Hospital
Health Minister K. Muraleedharan on Tuesday announced major infrastructure and staffing upgrades for Punalur and Pathanapuram Taluk Hospitals during a visit to review medical operations and ongoing development projects. The Minister’s inspection focused on expanding critical care services, upgrading diagnostic machinery, and resolving persistent manpower shortages that have affected regional healthcare delivery.While evaluating the state of affairs at Punalur Taluk Hospital, Mr Muraleedharan assured that immediate steps will be taken to address acute staff deficits, noting that elevating the facility to a full-fledged General Hospital is under active consideration. To drastically improve emergency response, plans are under way to establish a 24-hour specialty casualty unit manned by expert medical officers, alongside a dedicated stroke ICU, modern CT and MRI scanning units, and potential additions of a cath lab and a neurologist. Furthermore, specialists in surgery, orthopedics, paediatrics, and psychology will be deployed, additional laboratory technicians will be recruited to streamline diagnostic testing, and the appointment of a forensic surgeon for post-mortem procedures is under consideration.At Pathanapuram Taluk Hospital, the Minister inspected the construction site of the new six-storey building, which has reached 65% completion, and directed to expedite all remaining work. He said that the architectural layout of various departments in the new facility will be re-evaluated and adjusted to optimize patient flow and public convenience. Efforts are also being initiated to install a centralized air-conditioning system, while the Irrigation Department will be tasked with constructing the facility’s compound wall. Published - August 04, 2026 07:33 pm IST
