New Delhi

Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Tuesday held a virtual review meeting with Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan to assess the implementation of key health programmes in the state, with discussions focusing on strengthening healthcare delivery, improving access to medicines and diagnostics, and enhancing regulatory oversight.

The meeting reviewed the implementation and progress of major flagship health programmes and initiatives in Kerala, including the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the Free Drugs Service Initiative, the Free Diagnostic Service Initiative, human resources for health under the National Health Mission (NHM), medical education, drug regulation, and food safety and standards, a health ministry statement said.

The discussions centred on strengthening healthcare delivery, improving access to quality medicines and diagnostic services, 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.

Muraleedharan apprised Nadda of the progress made under various flagship health programmes and highlighted initiatives undertaken by the Kerala government to further strengthen healthcare delivery.

He also briefed the Union minister on key challenges and areas requiring Central support and reaffirmed the state's commitment to working closely with the Union Health Ministry to achieve national health priorities.

Nadda appreciated the state's efforts in implementing various health initiatives and assured the Centre's continued support for further strengthening Kerala's healthcare ecosystem.

He stressed the importance of sustained Centre-state collaboration to ensure effective implementation of national health programmes and improve 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 through effective implementation of flagship health programmes.

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Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, Kerala Health and Family Welfare Principal Secretary Sharmila Mary Joseph, NHM Mission Director Aradhana Patnaik, Drugs Controller General of India Rajeev Raghuvanshi, FSSAI Executive Director Amit Sharma and senior officials from the Centre and the Kerala government also attended the virtual meeting.