The more family health centres, which are the foundation of health care, are strengthened, the less pressure will be placed on the hospital systems upstream. If the uncontrollable overcrowding in the taluk, district and medical college hospitals is to be reduced at least to some extent, the family health centres need to be improved. The vulnerability of health centres under this category is that they do not have enough doctors and paramedical staff. Compared to other states, Malayalees are very health conscious and prefer to go to hospitals where they can get the best treatment even for minor ailments. If family health centres are better equipped, they will be more useful for all sections of people.

In this context, the government's decision to create 570 new posts to facilitate the functioning of family health centres which have been completed in the state is commendable. Buildings alone do not make hospitals. There should be facilities and adequate staff to treat patients. The main reason for the complaints about the functioning of the existing family health centres in the state is the shortage of doctors. Financial pressure is the problem here also. However, the decision to create 570 new posts to ensure the smooth functioning of family health centres at once is commendable in the current situation.

35 new posts of Assistant Surgeons are being created for Family Health Centres. The most notable are 250 posts of pharmacists. Pharmacists who work under severe pressure have to work long hours without rest without replacements. Their organization was continuously demanding that more people be appointed as pharmacists. Billing, register keeping and dispensing of medicines by one person naturally creates a lot of stress. Primary health centers were upgraded to family health centers but the number of pharmacists was not increased accordingly. With the arrival of 250 more pharmacists, it is expected that their work will improve and the patients who come to buy medicines will get relief.

150 posts of Grade-2 Nursing Officers and 135 posts of Lab Technicians have also been allotted for Family Health Centres. It has been decided to allot more posts where required after completion of their appointments. The director of the health department has been assigned to study the matter. As 885 primary health centres have been upgraded to family health centres, more staff need to be appointed in all of them. Common people will benefit a lot if these centres start functioning well. Government family health centres are the common people's reliance in the state of Kerala, where medical expenses are increasing day by day. Family health centres should be able to treat common illnesses that do not require more specialized treatment. For that, there should be enough doctors and other staff.