Govt to establish Pratheeksha Centres in all districts to provide 24/7 specialty care

Thiruvananthapuram: Health minister K Muraleedharan said on Wednesday that the state government will establish 24/7 specialty care facilities called 'Pratheeksha Centres' at district and general hospitals across the state to reduce the mounting pressure on medical college hospitals. The government aims to set up at least one centre providing round-the-clock services in medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics and gynaecology in every district.

A trial run began at Punalur Taluk Headquarters Hospital on Tuesday, and the facility is expected to become fully operational by Sept 10. Muraleedharan said patients were increasingly reaching medical college emergency departments even for conditions that could be treated at family health centres and other nearby government hospitals. The resulting overcrowding often delays specialist treatment for those who require advanced care.

The minister acknowledged the shortage of doctors and other healthcare personnel but said staff would be deployed as the programme expands. Employees with relatively limited workloads in some institutions would also be identified and redeployed.

The health department will simultaneously launch 'Hridayaragam', a community-based campaign for the early detection, prevention and treatment of lifestyle diseases. Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, fatty liver disease, stroke and cancer have emerged as major causes of illness and death in the state. The campaign will initially be piloted in Vattiyoorkavu, Idukki and Nilambur assembly constituencies before being expanded statewide. All residents above 18 will undergo population-based screening and risk assessment and be classified as mild, moderate or high risk.

High-risk patients will be linked to consultation, diagnostic tests and treatment within 24 hours, while others will receive the required services within two weeks. Newly diagnosed patients will be registered and given individual health diaries for structured follow-up. The department will use existing digital systems, including the SHAILI and JAK PH apps, for surveys and screening, while treatment details will be recorded through the e-Health system. Meanwhile, the state's three mental health centres will be renamed 'Happiness and Wellness Centres' and upgraded to provide a broader range of mental health and wellbeing services, including counselling, stress management, lifestyle interventions and recreational activities, he added.