Palaekarikula kshatriyan at 15:46, 5 May 2026

2026-05-05T15:46:20Z

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{{Short description|Family health care department in Kerala}}
{{primary sources|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = Department of Health and Family Welfare<br />[[Government of Kerala]]
| type = Department
| logo = Government of Kerala Logo.svg
| logo_width = 120px
| jurisdiction = [[Kerala]], India
| headquarters = Annex -II, 6th Floor Room No.603 [[Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram|Government Secretariat]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]] Kerala-695001
| minister1_name = [[Veena George]]
| minister1_pfo = Minister for Health and Family Welfare
| chief1_name = Rajan N Khobragade IAS<ref>https://health.kerala.gov.in/acsdeskdetails</ref>
| chief1_position = Additional Chief Secretary (Health)
| chief2_name =
| chief2_position =
| chief3_name =
| chief3_position =
| parent_department =
| child1_agency = Directorate of Health Services
| child2_agency = Directorate of Medical Education
| child3_agency = Department of Drugs Control
| child4_agency = Commissionerate of Food Safety
| website = {{URL|https://health.kerala.gov.in}}
}}

The '''Health and Family Welfare Department''' is an administrative department under the [[Government of Kerala]], responsible for public health, medical services, family welfare, and the management of healthcare institutions across the state. The department formulates health policies, oversees statewide health infrastructure, implements national health programs, and monitors public health initiatives.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Health & Family Welfare Department - Government of Kerala |url=https://health.kerala.gov.in/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601000000/https://health.kerala.gov.in/ |archive-date=2024-06-01 |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=health.kerala.gov.in |language=en}}</ref>

It is one of the largest administrative departments of Kerala and functions through various directorates, autonomous bodies, and missions. The department also oversees medical education, preventive health programs, health insurance schemes, and family welfare initiatives. It has its headquarters in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], Kerala.

== Leadership ==
The Department of Health and Family Welfare is headed by a [[Minister (government)|Cabinet Minister]] of the Government of Kerala, and the incumbent Minister is [[Veena George]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala Council of Ministers - Kerala Legislative Assembly |url=https://www.niyamasabha.nic.in/index.php/chief_minister/ministers |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=niyamasabha.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rajput |first=Kajal |date=2025-11-10 |title=Kerala Govt to meet Medical College Teachers' Association ahead of strike |url=https://medicaldialogues.in/state-news/kerala/kerala-govt-to-meet-medical-college-teachers-association-ahead-of-strike-158387 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2025-10-27 |title=World Bank approves USD 400 million loan for Kerala health system upgrade |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Oct/27/world-bank-approves-usd-400-million-loan-for-kerala-health-system-upgrade-2 |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-05 |title=Opposition demands Kerala health minister's resignation after Kottayam hospital collapse |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/opposition-demands-kerala-health-minister-s-resignation-after-kottayam-hospital-collapse-101751656838223.html |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

Administratively, the department is headed by a [[Principal secretary (India)|Principal Secretary to Government]], an [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] officer. The Principal Secretary is supported by Additional Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Under Secretaries, and other staff posted in the Secretariat.<ref name=":1">[https://gad.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/general_attachment/Rules%20of%20Business%20-%20Part%20II.pdf Rules of Business of Government of Kerala – Part II: First Schedule]</ref>

The operational wings of the department include:
* Directorate of Health Services (DHS)
* Directorate of Medical Education (DME)
* Drugs Control Department<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2025-10-04 |title=State Drugs Control department stops sale of Coldrif in Kerala |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/state-drugs-control-dept-stops-sale-of-coldrif-in-kerala/article70124685.ece |access-date=2025-11-14 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
* Commissionerate of Food Safety<ref>{{Cite web |title=Commissionerate of Food safety Kerala {{!}} Food safety department Kerala |url=https://foodsafety.kerala.gov.in/en/home/ |access-date=2026-02-22 |language=en-GB}}</ref> (''Food Safety Department'')

== Functions ==
* Formulation and implementation of health policies and State Health Action Plans.<ref name=":0" />
* Operation and administration of government hospitals, public health facilities, and specialty medical institutions.
* Implementation of [[National Health Mission|National Health Mission (NHM)]] and other [[Centrally Sponsored Scheme|centrally sponsored schemes]] relating to public health and family welfare.
* Disease surveillance, epidemic prevention, and public health response activities through the State Surveillance Unit.
* Administration of health-related missions, boards, and autonomous institutions.<ref name=":1" />

== Departments under==
* '''Directorate of Health Services''' '''(DHS)'''<ref name=":2" />
* '''Directorate of Medical Education''' '''(DME''')<ref name=":3" />
* '''Commissionerate of Food Safety, Kerala'''<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Kerala Health Department |url=https://health.kerala.gov.in/department-details/undefined/eyJpdiI6IldCOHhYWm5nVnFaNG1Cd1g0ZlpJRFE9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoicDI2dkQyL2Q5aEFSalVOR0poMVFkQT09IiwibWFjIjoiNDIxNzUxN2I5MmMyM2FjNzIwNDNjZjljMWFhYjgyYjVkZWRmZDMyZjU1YmI1MTg4OGVmY2QwMjYwNTdlOWQ2YiIsInRhZyI6IiJ9 |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=health.kerala.gov.in |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Drugs Control Department, Kerala'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala Health Department |url=https://health.kerala.gov.in/department-details/undefined/eyJpdiI6InV3b25qQjR3SzRVblFRdWUxVVFtbVE9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiWE1FSW4xUlE0TUdFT0xQditVTjdkdz09IiwibWFjIjoiZmIwM2VmN2NlN2JiZjhkODYxYWRkMTY3NjU4MjA0MjVlMTEzZDA1NGVmNmUzMjEwMGQwNzQzYmY2N2UzMDQxNCIsInRhZyI6IiJ9 |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=health.kerala.gov.in |language=en}}</ref>
* [[National Health Mission]] (NHM)

=== Directorate of Health Services (DHS) ===
This is the main operational department of the Health and Family Welfare Department. It's headed by a Director, who functions as the Head of department. The Director of Health Services supervise and administer the allopathic medical institutions such as District Hospitals, Taluk Hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), Public Health Centres (PHCs) and other government health clinics across the state. Each of 14 district has a [[Medical officer of health|District Medical Officer]] (DMO), who supervise government [[Allopathic medicine|allopathic]] health institutions in the district.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=dhs – Directorate of Health Services |url=https://dhs.kerala.gov.in/en/dhs/ |access-date=2025-11-08 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Each government hospital is under control of Superintendent, and Each Public Health Centres is under Medical Officer (I/C).<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Local Governments and the Public Health Delivery System in Kerala |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372854267_Local_Governments_and_the_Public_Health_Delivery_System_in_Kerala |website=[[ResearchGate]]}}</ref>

=== Directorate of Medical Education (DME) ===
The Director of Medical Education is responsible for administration of government medical colleges and medical education institutions in the state.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=DME – OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF DIRECTORATE OF MEDICAL EDUCATION |url=https://dme.kerala.gov.in/ |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=dme.kerala.gov.in}}</ref>

The Government Medical College Hospitals functions under the administrative control the DME. The Department is responsible for supervision and administration of medical colleges, dental colleges, nursing colleges and other medical institutions.

'''Major Institutions and Bodies under the Department:'''
* [[List of medical colleges in Kerala|Government Medical Colleges in Kerala]]
* State Health Systems Resource Centre – Kerala (SHSRC)
* Public Health Laboratories and Research Centres
===Drugs Control Department===
The Drugs Control Department, formed in 1961, is the statutory authority responsible for regulating the manufacture, sale, and distribution of drugs and cosmetics in the state. It enforces the provisions of the [[Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940]] to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines and to prevent the circulation of spurious or substandard drugs, thereby safeguarding public health.

The Drugs Control Department is headed by a Drugs Controller and assisted by deputy drugs controllers and assistant drugs controllers at headquarters. The enforcement wing consists senior/regional drugs inspectors and drugs inspectors who functions at the field level. The department also has a Drugs Testing Laboratory, known as the Government Analyst Laboratory, at [[Thiruvananthapuram]], headed by a Chief Government Analyst.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daily |first=Keralakaumudi |title=Drug Inspector shortage hits medicine quality checks in Kerala |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=1591699&u=drug-inspector-shortage-hits-medicine-quality-checks-in-kerala |access-date=2026-02-22 |website=Keralakaumudi Daily |language=en}}</ref>

===Commissionerate of Food Safety===
The Commissionerate of Food Safety enforces food safety laws to ensure safe and hygienic food, prevent adulteration, and protect public health. The department is headed by a Commissioner of Food Safety, an [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] cadre officer, and has its headquarters in [[Thiruvananthapuram]].

The department has two primary wings: the Enforcement Wing and the Analytical Wing. The Enforcement Wing consists of four regional-level offices headed by Deputy Commissioners of Food Safety, 14 district-level offices headed by Assistant Commissioners of Food Safety, and 140 circle-level offices headed by Food Safety Officers. The Food Safety Circle Offices are coterminous with the State’s Legislative Assembly constituencies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-21 |title=Vizhinjam food poisoning deaths expose food safety staff shortage in Kerala |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kerala-food-safety-officers-appointment-xonuagro |access-date=2026-02-22 |website=@mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Domestic Food Hygiene Practices in a Rural Area of Thrissur District, Kerala, India |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325283714_Domestic_Food_Hygiene_Practices_in_a_Rural_Area_of_Thrissur_District_Kerala_India}}</ref>

The Analytical Wing comprises the Government Analytical Laboratory at Thiruvananthapuram, two regional laboratories at Kozhikode and Ernakulam, and a District Food Testing Laboratory at Pathanamthitta.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2026-02-02 |title=Five years on, Kerala’s first food analytical lab remains a non-starter |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/five-years-on-keralas-first-food-analytical-lab-remains-a-non-starter/article70582837.ece |access-date=2026-02-22 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Organisations==
The following is the autonomous institutions functioning under the department.<ref name=":7" />
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Organisation
! Website
|-
| Centre for One Health-Kerala (COH-K)
| {{URL|https://www.onehealth.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| Child Development Centre Kerala (CDC)
| {{URL|https://cdckerala.org/}}
|-
| Cochin Cancer Research Centre (CCRC)
| {{URL|https://ccrckerala.com/}}
|-
| eHealth Kerala
| {{URL|https://ehealth.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| Indian Institute of Diabetes (IID)
| {{URL|https://www.iidkerala.org/}}
|-
| [[Institute for Communicative and Cognitive Neurosciences]] (ICCONS)
| {{URL|https://www.iccons.co.in/}}
|-
| [[Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences]] (IMHANS)
| {{URL|https://www.imhans.ac.in/}}
|-
| Kerala Dental Council (KDC)
| {{URL|https://dentalcouncil.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| Kerala Health Research and Welfare Society (KHRWS)
| {{URL|http://khrws.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL)
| {{URL|https://kmscl.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council (KNMC)
| {{URL|https://www.knmc.org/}}
|-
| Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS)
| {{URL|https://ksacs.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| Kerala State Blood Transfusion Council (KSBTC)
| {{URL|https://ksbtc.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| Kerala State Council for Clinical Establishment (CCE)
| {{URL|https://clinicalestablishments.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| Kerala State Institute of Health and Family Welfare (KSIHFW)
| {{URL|https://ksihfw.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| Kerala State Medical Councils (KSMC)
| {{URL|https://medicalcouncil.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| Kerala State Mental Health Authority (KSMHA)
| {{URL|http://www.ksmha.org/}}
|-
| Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (K-SOTTO)
| {{URL|https://ksotto.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| Kerala State Pharmacy Council (KSPC)
| {{URL|https://pharmacycouncil.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| [[Kerala University of Health Sciences]] (KUHS)
| {{URL|https://www.kuhs.ac.in/}}
|-
| [[Malabar Cancer Centre, Thalassery|Malabar Cancer Centre]] (PGIOSR)
| {{URL|https://mcc.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| [[Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram]]
| {{URL|https://www.rcctvm.gov.in/}}
|-
| [[Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Thiruvananthapuram|Regional Institute of Ophthalmology]] (RIO)
| {{URL|ioctn.org/rio-thiruvananthapuram/}}
|-
| State Health Agency Kerala (SHA)
| {{URL|https://sha.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| State Health Systems Resource Centre – Kerala (SHSRC-K)
| {{URL|https://shsrc.kerala.gov.in/}}
|-
| State Institute of Medical Education and Technology (SIMET)
| {{URL|https://simet.in/}}
|-
| State TB Cell (NTEP)
| {{URL|https://ntep.in/}}
|-
| Apex Trauma & Emergency Learning Centre (AT&ELC)
|
|}

==Health infrastructure==
The Directorate of Health Services (DHS) look after the administration and supervision of the following government hospitals and institutions. These institutions are governed by respective local-self government institutions.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Brochure - Directorate of Health Services - Health Infrastructure |url=https://dhs.kerala.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Brochure-Health-Department-Resize.pdf}}</ref><ref name=":8" />
{{Main|List of government hospitals in Kerala}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Sl. No. !! Institution / Category !! Total
!Ref.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Reports – dhs |url=https://dhs.kerala.gov.in/en/reports/ |access-date=2025-11-11 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="3" style="background:#D9EDF7;" | Hospitals & Major Institutions
!
|-
| 1 || General Hospitals || 18
|<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Health Information Cell (Statistics Division) |first=Directorate Of Health Services |date=2025-11-11 |title=List Of Modern Medicine Institutions (2024 - 25) |url=https://dhs.kerala.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/List-of-Modern-medicine-Institutions-2024-25.pdf |access-date=2025-11-11}}</ref>
|-
| 2 || District Hospitals || 18
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 3 || Taluk Head Quarter Hospitals || 48
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 4 || Taluk Hospitals || 40
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 5 || Community Health Centres || 185
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 6 || Community Health Centres converted to FHCs || 41
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 7 || 24×7 Primary Health Centres || 3
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 8 || 24×7 Primary Health Centres converted to FHCs || 156
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 9 || Primary Health Centres || 2
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 10 || Primary Health Centres converted to FHCs || 688
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 11 || District [[Tuberculosis|TB]] Centres || 14
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 12 || Mobile Unit/Dispensaries/Health Clinics || 49
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 13 || Women & Children Hospitals || 10
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 14 || Mental Health Centres || 3
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 15 || TB Hospitals || 4
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 16 || [[Leprosy]] Hospitals || 3
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| 17 || Speciality Hospitals || 7
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
! colspan="3" style="background:#D9EDF7;" | Other Institutions
!<ref name=":5" />
|-
| 18 || [[School of Nursing|Schools of Nursing]]|| 15
|
|-
| 19 || Training Centres || 10
|
|-
| 20 || Government Public Labs || 10
|
|-
| 21 || District Vector Control Units || 14
|
|-
| 22 || Others (DHS, DMOH, OFFSET Press) || 16
|
|-
| 23 || Health Subcentres || 5416
|
|}

== Challenges and medical negligence concerns ==
Despite Kerala’s reputation for a strong public healthcare system, the sector has faced scrutiny over instances of alleged medical negligence, infrastructure gaps, and administrative challenges, particularly during the tenure of the second [[Pinarayi Vijayan]] ministry (2021–present).

=== Reported medical negligence cases ===
Several high-profile cases of alleged medical negligence in government hospitals have been reported. In one instance, a surgical instrument (artery forceps) was found inside a patient years after a procedure at a government medical college hospital in Alappuzha, leading to police action and disciplinary proceedings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Row over Kerala medical negligence case escalates |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/thiruvananthapuram/suspension-police-case-protests-row-over-kerala-medical-negligence-case-escalates-10545032/ |work=The Indian Express |date=22 February 2026 |access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref>

In another case, a guide wire used during surgery was left inside a patient’s chest at a government hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. The state health department acknowledged the error and initiated action against those responsible.<ref>{{cite news |title=Min accepts surgical error, vows action |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/min-accepts-surgical-error-vows-action/articleshow/123953004.cms |work=The Times of India |date=2025 |access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref>

Additional cases have involved complications following surgical procedures, including instances where patients reported severe pain due to retained surgical materials, prompting police complaints and legal proceedings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Medical negligence case against Kerala doctor after surgery leaves man in severe pain |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2026/Jan/09/medical-negligence-case-against-kerala-doctor-after-surgery-leaves-man-in-severe-pain |work=The New Indian Express |date=9 January 2026 |access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref>

Cases involving deaths during treatment have also been reported. For example, a woman died during treatment at Kottayam Medical College Hospital, with her family alleging negligence, prompting an internal investigation.<ref>{{cite news |title=49-year-old woman dies during treatment at Kottayam MCH; kin allege medical negligence |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/49-year-old-woman-dies-during-treatment-at-kottayam-mch-kin-allege-medical-negligence/articleshow/124880445.cms |work=The Times of India |date=2025 |access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref>

In July 2025, the collapse of a portion of a building at Kottayam Medical College Hospital resulted in the death of a patient and led to allegations regarding delays in rescue operations and infrastructure maintenance.<ref>{{cite news |title=Woman dies in Kottayam medical college collapse, delay alleged |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Jul/04/woman-dies-in-kottayam-medical-college-collapse-alleged-delay-in-rescue-sparks-political-row |work=The New Indian Express |date=4 July 2025 |access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref>

=== Systemic and infrastructure issues ===
Beyond individual cases, concerns have been raised regarding systemic issues in public healthcare institutions. Reports have indicated infrastructure deficiencies, including hospital buildings requiring urgent repair or demolition.<ref>{{cite news |title=134 hospital buildings unsafe in Kerala, most in Ernakulam |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/134-hospital-buildings-unsafe-in-kerala-most-in-ernakulam/articleshow/122350103.cms |work=The Times of India |date=2025 |access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref>

Medical professionals have also reported increased pressure and legal scrutiny following negligence allegations, with some noting a shift towards “defensive medicine” practices in hospitals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Medical negligence cases trigger defensive practices among doctors in Kerala |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2026/Feb/26/medical-negligence-cases-trigger-defensive-practices-among-doctors-in-kerala |work=The New Indian Express |date=26 February 2026 |access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref>

=== Data and broader trends ===
Comprehensive state-level data on medical negligence cases is not consistently published. However, national-level data indicates a rise in litigation, with approximately 65,000 medical negligence cases filed across India in 2025 in courts and consumer forums.<ref>{{cite news |title=65,000 medical negligence cases filed in 2025 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/legal-news/medical-negligence-cases-india-2025-hospital-paperwork-digital-evidence-ncdrc-data-10521097/ |work=The Indian Express |date=8 February 2026 |access-date=21 March 2026}}</ref>

Experts have noted that factors such as administrative lapses, documentation issues, and systemic pressures contribute to such cases alongside clinical errors.

=== Government response ===
The Government of Kerala has maintained that reported incidents are isolated and not indicative of systemic failure. Authorities have initiated inquiries, suspended personnel in certain cases, and introduced corrective measures to strengthen patient safety mechanisms.

Officials have also highlighted that Kerala continues to perform strongly on national health indicators and remains one of the leading states in public healthcare delivery.

=== Political and public response ===
Medical negligence cases have been a subject of political debate in Kerala, with opposition parties raising concerns about accountability and governance. The government has stated that such incidents are being addressed through institutional mechanisms and reforms.

Public discourse on the issue has expanded through media coverage and discussions within the medical community.

== List of Health Ministers ==
The following is the list of ministers who held the health portfolio in various governments:<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Info - Kerala Legislature |url=http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/ginfo_6.htm |access-date=2026-04-30 |website=www.niyamasabha.org}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! No.
! Minister
! Term
! Party
! Chief Minister
|-
|1
|[[A. R. Menon]]
|1957-1959
|Indipendent
|[[E. M. S. Namboodiripad]]
|-
|2
|V. K. Velappan
|1960–1962
|[[Indian National Congress]]
|[[Pattom A. Thanu Pillai]]
|-
|3
| [[M. P. Govindan Nair]]
| 1962–1964
| [[Indian National Congress]]
| [[R. Sankar]]
|-
|4
| [[B. Wellington]]
| 1967–1969
| [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]
| [[E. M. S. Namboodiripad]]
|-
|5
| K.M. George
| 1969–1970
|
| [[C. Achutha Menon]]
|-
|6
| N. K. Balakrishnan
| 1970–1977
| [[Praja Socialist Party]]
| [[C. Achutha Menon]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |7
| rowspan="3" |[[J. Chitharanjan]]
|April 1977
|
|[[K. Karunakaran]]
|-
|1977–1978
|
|[[A. K. Antony]]
|-
|Oct 1978 - Nov 1978
|
|[[P. K. Vasudevan Nair]]
|-
|8
|K.P Prabhakaran
|1978 –1979
|
|[[P. K. Vasudevan Nair]]
|-
|9
|N. Bhaskaran Nair
|Oct 1979 –Dec 1979
|
|[[C. H. Mohammed Koya]]
|-
|10
| [[Vakkom Purushothaman]]
| 1980–1981
|
| [[E. K. Nayanar]]
|-
|11
| R. Sundaresan Nair
| 1981–1982
|
| [[K. Karunakaran]]
|-
|12
|KGR Kartha
|1982–1983
|
|[[K. Karunakaran]]
|-
|13
|[[K. P. Ramachandran Nair|K.P. Ramachandran Nair]]
|1983–1985
|
|[[K. Karunakaran]]
|-
|14
| [[A. C. Shanmughadas]]
| 1987–1991
|
| [[E. K. Nayanar]]
(LDF)
|-
|15
|[[K. P. Ramachandran Nair|R. Ramachandran Nair]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Members - Kerala Legislature |url=http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/m559.htm |access-date=2026-04-30 |website=www.niyamasabha.org}}</ref>
|1991-1994
|[[National Democratic Party (Kerala)]]
|[[K. Karunakaran]]
(UDF)
|-
|16
|[[V. M. Sudheeran|V.M. Sudheeran]]
|1995-1996
|[[Indian National Congress]]
|[[A. K. Antony]]
(UDF)
|-
|17
|[[A. C. Shanmughadas]]
|1996–2000
|[[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]]
|[[E. K. Nayanar]]
(LDF)
|-
|18
|[[V. C. Kabeer|V.C Kabeer]]
|2000–2001
|NCP
|[[E. K. Nayanar]]
(LDF)
|-
|19
|[[P. Sankaran]]
|2001–2004
|[[Indian National Congress]]
|[[A. K. Antony]]
(UDF)
|-
|20
|[[K. K. Ramachandran Master]]
|2004–2006
|[[Indian National Congress]]
|[[Oommen Chandy]]
(UDF)
|-
|21
|[[P. K. Sreemathy]]
|2006 –2011
|[[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]
|[[V. S. Achuthanandan]](LDF)
|-
|22
| [[V. S. Sivakumar]]
| 2011–2016
| [[Indian National Congress]]
| [[Oommen Chandy]]
(UDF)
|-
|23
| [[K. K. Shailaja]]
| 2016–2021
| [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]
| [[Pinarayi Vijayan]]
(LDF)
|-
|24
| [[Veena George]]
| 2021–2026
| [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]
| [[Pinarayi Vijayan]]
(LDF)
|}

== See also ==

* [[Department of Ayush (Kerala)]]
* [[List of government hospitals in Kerala]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Government departments of Kerala]]
[[Category:Health in Kerala]]

Department of Health and Family Welfare Kerala - Revision history

Palaekarikula kshatriyan at 15:46, 5 May 2026