Kerala complies with central directive; primary health centres to be renamed Ayushman Arogya Mandir

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Health Department has issued an order to add the name Ayushman Arogya Mandir to the board of primary health centres in the state. The decision was made as per the instructions of the central government.

The central government had instructed the states to change the name of the primary health centres to Ayushman Arogya Mandir. However, the government took a stand that the name will not be changed. The government said that the name change was an invasion of the populace. The Chief Minister also informed that there will be no name change in Kerala.

However, NHM funds for the state's health scheme were not allocated as the name was not changed. Ayushman Arogya Mandir should be written on the board in Malayalam and English and logos of the Kerala Government, Health Department, National Health Mission and Ardram Mission should be on the board. The tagline "Arogyam Paramam Dhanam" should also be added along with the name. The central government had informed the state that the steps in this regard should be completed by December 2023.

Meanwhile, the health department said that the news that the name of hospitals in the state will be changed is baseless. Janakeeya Arogya Kendram, Kudumba Arogya Kendram, Nagara Janakeeya Arogya Kendram and Nagara Kudumba Arogya Kendram will continue to be known by those names. Only those names will be on the name boards. The tag lines 'Ayushman Arogya Mandir' and 'Arogyam Paramam Dhanam' which have been suggested by the central government for branding will also be included. The health department also clarified that the news to the contrary is false.