MALAPPURAM: The district administration has set up a 13-member panel to study reasons for recurring health issues. Collector Amit Meena ordered a detailed study in the wake of an inadequate response to healthcare and immunisation programmes, especially the recently concluded measles-rubella (MR) vaccination drive. The district could only achieve 83 percent coverage in the MR vaccination drive despite the involvement of all the departments and large machinery.
Deputy collector Dr J.O. Arun will head the panel and district medical office Dr K. Sakeena is the co-chairperson. The panel also includes medical officers of departments of Indian System of Medicine and Ayush. They would complete the study within 45 days. "The study will focus on core health issues of the district and unimpressive performance of various projects despite concrete and collective efforts. The pitfalls have to be identified," Dr Arun said.
District specific issues of diphtheria, fake and unqualified medical practitioners will also be included in the study. The panel would conduct public hearings and stakeholder consultations across the district. "The high population is an issue in Malappuram. The current staff pattern of the health department will also be examined and compared with other districts," he said.
