World Bank loan will strengthen Kerala's health sector

Although the public health sector in Kerala is generally good, there are still many problems that need to be solved. The main problem is that the budget allocation is not enough. When the needs are extensive and there is not enough money to spend, the allocation will not be enough even for essentials. The arrears to be paid to companies for the purchase of medicines is a headache for any government. When the arrears increase, companies hesitate to provide medicines. This will cause suffering to patients in government hospitals. Maintenance of equipment, development of infrastructure, and shortage of staff are all factors that are putting pressure on the public health sector. The limitations faced by the government in the health sector are a reminder that even after achieving the feat of becoming a leading state in the country in health care, there is still a long way for Kerala to go to improve the health system.

It is against this backdrop that the cabinet approved a new project to improve the health sector by borrowing Rs 2424 crore from the World Bank. The aim is to complete the project called the Kerala Health System Improvement Program in four years. Various action plans to increase life expectancy, ensure quality of life and protect people from infectious diseases are part of this. Infectious diseases, which have been increasing for some time, are a major threat. Various infectious diseases spread across the state with the onset of the monsoon season. In addition, infectious diseases such as jaundice, typhoid and chicken pox also increase. The reality is that not all these patients can be treated in the current system.

Kerala can make remarkable achievements in the field of public health if the World Bank's assistance is spent judiciously and rationally. It is common for there to be shortcomings in the proper spending of loan assistance received from international institutions. The loan money is used to construct buildings, purchase vehicles without any restrictions, and for officials to walk around in pomp. The loan amount is used without realizing that it is not assistance, but money that has to be repaid with interest within a specified period. It should be remembered that the main focus should be on devising a plan for the healthy growth and progress of the health sector. It is generally said that preventive measures to prevent disease are more important than treating it. In the case of Kerala, this is true to the letter.

The main focus should be on preventing infectious diseases. Climate change sometimes brings new diseases. Kerala is not moving forward, but backward in the issue of environmental sanitation. Waste collection and treatment have not improved yet. The LSG department has not yet been able to set an example by setting up a waste treatment plant anywhere that would gain the trust of the people. We are now seeing waste being scattered all over the state, claiming that it is waste treatment at source. It is learnt that the new project will give special importance to the health and safety project for the elderly. More staff, including doctors, ambulances, trauma care units, etc. will be part of the project. Now that the project has received cabinet approval, the next step is to complete the steps and formulate action plans to utilize the loan.