No cover-ups: Kerala focuses on curing patients, says Health Minister K Muraleedharan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government will not attempt to cover up disease outbreaks, and the state's healthcare sector aims for the distinction of successfully treating and curing the maximum number of infected patients, State Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said.

Inaugurating the newly formed high-level committee for infectious disease control at the PWD Rest House in Thiruvananthapuram, the Minister recalled the exemplary collective effort seen during the Nipah outbreak containment in Kozhikode. He emphasised that the seamless cooperation demonstrated by everyone—ranging from doctors to cleaning staff—must be maintained across all healthcare frontiers.

Amid a surge in various fevers and infectious diseases across the state, Minister Muraleedharan stated that containment cannot be achieved by the Health Department alone. It requires the synchronised efforts of local self-governments, the Food Safety Department, and the Water Resources Department, alongside active public participation.

Unsanitary surroundings, contaminated drinking water, and unsafe food remain the primary drivers of many diseases. With vector-borne and zoonotic illnesses like Dengue, Leptospirosis (rat fever), and Nipah raising serious concerns, local bodies have been directed to focus sharply on executing efficient pre-monsoon sanitation drives. The Minister also stressed that scientific waste management is indispensable for epidemic prevention, making the establishment of dedicated waste processing units a priority.

Following a recent Shigella outbreak reported at a school in Nenmeni Grama Panchayat, Wayanad district, the health ministry has ordered rigorous monitoring of drinking water quality and food safety.

• Food Safety Crackdown: Inspection drives have been intensified across eateries, including hotels and wayside food stalls. Strict action will be taken against establishments operating in unhygienic conditions.
• Dry Day Observation: The public has been instructed to strengthen 'Dry Day' practices and conduct intensive cleaning campaigns at homes and institutions on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Minister's Stance: "Prioritising preventive measures to avert diseases is far more critical than treating them after an outbreak occurs. The health department and its workers are maintaining an aggressive defence, particularly against threats like Nipah."

In a reassuring update, the Minister noted that systematic interventions have successfully brought the Shigella outbreak under control. Furthermore, lab reports for two patients suspected of contracting the Ebola virus have returned negative.

Moving forward, the government expects the high-level committee to conduct rigorous scientific investigations and submit actionable reports. The panel is tasked with drafting proactive strategies for epidemic prevention and uncovering the underlying scientific reasons behind why diseases like Nipah recur in specific geographical pockets of the state.