Date: 2026-07-07Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Health Minister Shri J. P. Nadda Virtually Reviews Implementation of Key Health Programmes in Kerala with State Health Minister Shri. K. Muraleedharan
**Executive Summary**
On July 7, 2026, Union Health Minister Shri J. P. Nadda chaired a virtual meeting with Kerala's Health Minister Shri K. Muraleedharan to review the implementation of flagship health programmes in the state. The session focused on evaluating the progress of initiatives such as the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and the Free Drugs Service Initiative. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to sustained Centre-State collaboration to enhance healthcare delivery, infrastructure, and regulatory oversight in Kerala.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Major Health Programmes and Initiatives**
* Review of the progress of the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan aimed at eradicating tuberculosis.
* Evaluation of the Free Drugs Service Initiative and the Free Diagnostic Service Initiative to improve healthcare access.
* Assessment of Human Resources for Health under the National Health Mission (NHM).
**Healthcare Infrastructure and Education**
* Focus on augmenting health infrastructure and enhancing medical education across the state.
* Discussions on strengthening healthcare delivery systems to ensure they remain accessible, affordable, and equitable.
* Emphasis on improving access to quality medicines and diagnostic services for all citizens.
**Regulatory Oversight and Standards**
* Strengthening the regulatory oversight of drugs and the management of blood banks.
* Reinforcing food safety systems in accordance with established standards.
* Collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Drugs Controller General of India to ensure safety and quality.
**Inter-Governmental Cooperation**
* The State Government highlighted specific challenges and areas requiring Central support to meet national health priorities.
* The Union Ministry assured continued support from the Government of India to strengthen Kerala’s healthcare ecosystem.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of Kerala (Ministry of Health)**
**Impact**
The state government receives direct feedback on its performance regarding flagship programs and has established a clear channel for requesting Central support to address local challenges.
**Action Required**
The State Ministry must continue the implementation of national health initiatives and maintain close coordination with the Union Ministry to achieve health priorities.
**Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare**
**Impact**
The Ministry gains oversight of the progress of national initiatives at the state level, ensuring that flagship programmes are being implemented effectively.
**Action Required**
The Union Ministry must provide the assured support and resources to Kerala to help strengthen its infrastructure, regulatory systems, and human resources.
**Health Regulatory Bodies (FSSAI/Drugs Controller General)**
**Impact**
These bodies are tasked with increased oversight responsibilities regarding drug safety, blood bank management, and food standards in the state.
**Action Required**
These entities must collaborate with state officials to reinforce safety systems and ensure compliance with national standards.
Key Entities Referenced
National Health Mission (NHM): The primary framework for healthcare delivery and human resource management reviewed for its implementation in the state.
TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: A major flagship health initiative specifically reviewed for its progress and effectiveness in Kerala.
Kerala: The central location and primary beneficiary state for the health programmes and infrastructure reviews discussed.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): The regulatory body involved in the meeting to reinforce food safety systems and standards across the state.
Free Drugs and Diagnostic Service Initiatives: Key public health schemes reviewed to improve citizen access to quality medicines and medical diagnostics.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Union Health Minister Shri J. P. Nadda Virtually
Reviews Implementation of Key Health
Programmes in Kerala with State Health Minister
Shri. K. Muraleedharan
प्रव तथ: 07 JUL 2026 3:19PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri J. P. Nadda today chaired a virtual review meeting with
Shri K. Muraleedharan, Minister for Health, Government of Kerala, to review the implementation and
progress of key health programmes and public health initiatives in the State.
The meeting focused on the implementation and progress of major flagship health programmes and
initiatives in Kerala, including the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, Free Drugs Service Initiative, Free
Diagnostic Service Initiative, Human Resources for Health under the National Health Mission (NHM),
Medical Education, Drug Regulation, and Food Safety and Standards.
The discussions centred on further strengthening healthcare delivery, improving access to quality
medicines and diagnostics, augmenting health infrastructure and human resources, enhancing medical
education, strengthening regulatory oversight of drugs and blood banks, and reinforcing food safety
systems across the State.Shri K. Muraleedharan apprised the Union Health Minister of the progress made by Kerala under various
flagship health programmes and highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the State Government to further
strengthen healthcare delivery. He also briefed the Union Health Minister on key challenges and areas
requiring Central support and reaffirmed the State Government's commitment to working in close
coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to achieve national health priorities.
The Union Health Minister appreciated the efforts made by the State in implementing various health
initiatives and assured continued support from the Government of India for further strengthening Kerala's
healthcare ecosystem. He emphasized the importance of sustained Centre-State collaboration to ensure
effective implementation of national health programmes and improved health outcomes for the people.The meeting concluded with both the Centre and the State reaffirming their commitment to strengthening
public health systems and ensuring accessible, affordable, equitable and quality healthcare services for all
citizens through sustained cooperation and effective implementation of flagship health programmes.
Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Dr. Sharmila Mary
Joseph, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Govt. Of Kerala; Smt. Aradhana
Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (NHM) Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare;
Dr Rajeev Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India; Shri Amit Sharma, Executive Director, Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Senior officials from the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, Government of India, and the Government of Kerala participated in the meeting through
virtual mode.
*****
SR
HFW/HFM Chairs meeting State Health minister of Kerala/7 July 2026/2
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2281988) आगंतुक पटल : 311
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही , Tamil , Malayalam