Keralam’s 24×7 specialty care rollout falters amid political pushback

The Health Department’s push to run 24×7 specialty care in general and district hospitals is faltering, with Punalur taluk hospital the only pilot site struggling to sustain round‑the‑clock services amid acute doctor shortages and local political pushback, despite promises of redeploying specialists and teleconsultations. Officials say the plan hinges on creating hundreds of new specialist posts, a request the Finance department has yet to approve.