Minister Veena George announces Kerala’s universal healthcare vision for 2031

Pathanamthitta: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday announced that the state aims to achieve universal healthcare for all by 2031.

She presented the policy document 'Kerala’s Health Sector Vision 2031' at the Vision 2031 Health Seminar, outlining plans to decentralise speciality medical services, strengthen infrastructure and enhance trauma and emergency response systems to ensure equitable access.

The minister detailed ongoing initiatives such as the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP), which integrates various health schemes and currently covers 42.2 lakh families. Each family under KASP is entitled to medical treatment worth ₹5 lakh, and the government plans to expand coverage to benefit more people, reported PTI.

She also highlighted the Aardram Janakeeya campaign, which screens people over 30 years old for lifestyle diseases through home visits and provides necessary treatment. To combat cancer, the Aarogyam Anandam Akattam Arbutham campaign has screened over two million people, supported by advanced cancer treatment facilities.

Addressing emerging public health challenges, including lifestyle diseases and rare infections such as amoebic meningoencephalitis, the minister said the state would develop an epidemic intelligence system and implement local-level micro-plans for prevention. She described amoebic meningoencephalitis as a potentially deadly brain infection caused by free-living amoebae in freshwater sources.

“The ultimate goal is to transform Kerala into a global health hub, and initiatives toward that goal are already underway. The state has also become a national model in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) control,” said Veena George, urging citizens to avoid spreading unscientific or misleading health information.