Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has categorically stated that the state government has no plans to privatize any hospital operating under the Health Department.
Speaking to reporters, the minister emphasized that the government remains firmly committed to retaining public ownership of all state-run healthcare institutions. He said that no private entity, regardless of its size or influence, would be permitted to take over hospitals under the department’s control.
“I want to make it clear that no hospital under the Health Department will be privatized,” Muraleedharan said.
Addressing the ongoing strike by nurses at two private hospitals in Thrissur, the minister said he participated in discussions with representatives of hospital managements and trade unions, along with Labour Minister Bindu Krishna.
According to Muraleedharan, the private hospital managements indicated that they would revise nurses’ salaries once the Minimum Wages Act is implemented. However, he noted that the process is likely to take at least two months, as the government is currently reviewing objections and feedback received after the draft legislation was released for public consultation.
The minister said the government had urged hospital managements to provide an interim salary increase of Rs 4,000 to nurses during this period. However, the managements did not agree to the proposal. He added that discussions between the stakeholders are continuing.