Kerala health minister visits tribal region after infant deaths

Two expert medical teams are now probing the recent infant deaths in the tribal colonies of Attappady.

Minister Visit

Health Minister K. Muraleedharan will visit Attappady on Saturday, October 31, 2026. He will meet health officials at the Kottathara Tribal Hospital and visit the Agali community health centre. The minister aims to check health facilities and review the treatment options available for local residents.

Expert Teams

The government has sent two groups of medical experts to the region for a detailed inquiry. The Health Services team includes state nodal officer Harikumar, National Health Mission nodal officer Joy John, and Assistant Director Lipsy Paul. The Medical Education department has sent seven specialists from government colleges, led by SAT Hospital Superintendent I. Riaz. These doctors specialize in fields like genetics, heart care, stomach ailments, newborn care, infections, and women's health.

Field Work

The visiting medical teams are inspecting tribal hamlets, hospitals, and health centers. They will directly examine all pregnant women and children under five years old to provide needed treatment. The teams are also auditing all neonatal, infant, and child deaths reported in the area during 2026 to find the exact causes. They will review how mobile medical teams and the nutritional rehabilitation centre are working. The committee must submit a full report with recommendations within a week.

Context

Remote tribal regions often face hurdles in accessing proper healthcare and nutrition, which can lead to high rates of maternal and child health issues. Expert committees are frequently deployed in such cases to find local gaps in medical services and recommend targeted fixes.