Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J. P. Nadda chaired a high level virtual review meeting with Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan to assess the implementation of key national health programmes, review the state’s healthcare priorities and discuss measures to strengthen healthcare delivery through enhanced Centre State collaboration.

During the meeting, Muraleedharan briefed the Union Minister on Kerala’s progress under various flagship health initiatives, including the National Health Mission (NHM), and highlighted key reforms undertaken by the state in public health, medical education, healthcare infrastructure and service delivery. He also outlined areas where additional financial and technical support from the Centre could help accelerate implementation and improve healthcare outcomes.

The discussions focused on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding access to quality medicines and diagnostic services, addressing human resource requirements, enhancing medical education and improving regulatory oversight of drugs, blood banks and food safety systems. Both sides also reviewed strategies to improve the implementation of centrally sponsored health programmes across the state.

Special emphasis was placed on the National Health Mission, which plays a key role in strengthening primary healthcare, maternal and child health services, disease control programmes and healthcare infrastructure. Officials discussed ways to further improve programme implementation and ensure better healthcare access across urban and rural areas.

Kerala continues to be recognised for its strong public health indicators, recording among the lowest Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India. The state has also consistently performed well in public healthcare delivery through its extensive network of primary health centres, family health centres and government hospitals.

Healthcare experts noted that periodic Centre State review meetings are essential for identifying implementation gaps, improving policy coordination and ensuring efficient utilisation of healthcare resources. They added that strengthening infrastructure, expanding the healthcare workforce and improving access to diagnostics and medicines remain critical to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The review reflects the Centre’s continued focus on strengthening the implementation of national health programmes through collaborative governance while supporting Kerala’s efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure, improve service delivery and build a more resilient public health system.