Kerala to ban political activities inside Government hospitals, says health minister
Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan said the state government will not permit any political activities inside government hospitals, reaffirming that the distribution of free food to patients and attendants will be carried out only through government-supported community kitchens.
The minister said the Health Department alone has the authority to regulate activities within hospital premises and political organisations cannot distribute food under party banners or flags inside government hospitals.
"The authority inside hospitals rests with the Health Department, not with any political organisation. They can distribute food outside the hospital premises if they want, but inside, the government has the responsibility," Muraleedharan told reporters.
He said the UDF government would not allow any political party or organisation to conduct activities within hospital compounds under any circumstances.
"Food should not be distributed under party banners or flags. That is wrong and the government will not permit it. If organisations wish to help, they can contribute to the community kitchens," he added.
The minister said the community kitchen initiative will be launched first in Alappuzha before being expanded to government hospitals across Kerala in consultation with voluntary organisations.
On Saturday, Muraleedharan announced the government's decision to establish community kitchens in government hospitals to streamline the distribution of free meals for patients and their attendants. Under the new policy, voluntary organisations will no longer be allowed to distribute food inside hospital premises under their own banners, flags or political identities.
The decision comes after CPI(M) veteran and Ambalapuzha MLA G Sudhakaran criticised the practice of political and social organisations displaying banners and flags while distributing free food at government hospitals.
Meanwhile, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) state president V Vaseef said the organisation would continue its free food distribution programme at government hospitals until it receives an official directive from the government.
