Won't allow political activities inside hospitals, says Kerala Health Minister

Pathanamthitta: Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan on Sunday reiterated that political organisations will not be allowed to distribute free food inside government hospitals, saying the authority to manage activities within hospital premises rests solely with the Health Department.

The minister said the UDF government's policy was to provide free meals for patients and their bystanders through community kitchens that will be established in government hospitals across the state.

"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 government would not permit any political party or organisation to carry out activities inside government hospitals 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 want to help, they can contribute to the community kitchens," he said.

Muraleedharan said the community kitchen initiative would be launched first in Alappuzha before being extended to other government hospitals after consultations with voluntary organisations.

The minister had announced the community kitchen scheme on Saturday, saying it was intended to streamline the distribution of free meals to patients and their attenders. 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 in the wake of criticism from senior CPM leader and Ambalapuzha MLA G. Sudhakaran, who objected to organisations displaying political banners and flags while distributing food packets 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 direction from the government to stop.