Palakkad (Keralam) | Keralam Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Saturday announced a series of measures to strengthen healthcare services in Attappadi, one of the most backward tribal settlements here in the state, following recent infant deaths in the region.

During a visit to the area, the minister reviewed the functioning of the Kottathara Tribal Speciality Hospital here, its treatment facilities and the overall delivery of healthcare services, amid mounting concerns over gaps in the health infrastructure.

Admitting that the hospital was facing a shortage of doctors, Muraleedharan said the government would appoint more medical professionals shortly, even as attracting doctors to the remote tribal region remained a challenge.

The proposed interventions include deploying a paediatric ambulance, expanding the hospital's Neonatal Paediatrics department and increasing the number of field-level health workers to improve medical care and monitoring in tribal settlements.

The government is also examining the possibility of providing nutritional food instead of cash assistance to beneficiaries under the Janani Janma Raksha scheme, he said.

On the functioning of the community kitchen in Attappadi, the minister said financial constraints arising from the non-release of funds had affected its operations. The pending amount would be released soon, he assured.

As part of the visit, the minister also held discussions with senior officials and experts of the health department to assess the shortcomings in the existing healthcare delivery system and identify areas requiring immediate intervention.

Attappadi, one of the most backward tribal regions in Keralam, has once again come under focus following recent infant deaths, triggering a political confrontation between the ruling Congress-led UDF and the opposition CPI(M).

While CPI(M) leaders have strongly criticised the UDF government over the deaths, Congress leaders have accused the Left of politicising the issue and attempting to deflect attention from alleged shortcomings during the previous LDF government's tenure.