'So Much For The Kerala Model': High Court Raps State Over Lack Of Maternity Wards In A Taluk Hospital

The Kerala High Court on Thursday came down on the State government for the deficient infrastructure reported in a hospital, despite its highly appreciated Kerala model.

Criticizing the State, Justice N Nagaresh pointed out that while it claims of the Kerala model's achievements, it was 'shameful' to see that a Taluk Headquarters hospital did not have a functional maternity ward.

The Court was adjudicating upon a petition moved through Advocate R. Rajasekharan Pillai seeking directions to the relevant State authorities to launch a maternity ward in the Taluk Headquarter Hospital in Peerumedu, equipped with an operation theatre providing all facilities and instruments.

When the matter was taken up on December 14, 2021, the Judge had directed the State to submit a status report on operationalizing a maternity ward in the hospital.

However, today the Court noted that despite its directions, the same had not been submitted. Therefore, the Government Pleader was directed to furnish the status report expeditiously.

The Kerala model of development ideally refers to the economic practices adopted by the State. It is characterized by results showing strong social indicators when compared to the rest of the country such as high literacy and life expectancy rates, highly improved access to healthcare and low infant mortality and birth rates.

Despite having a lower per capita income, the state is sometimes compared, at all metrics, to developed countries. These achievements along with the factors responsible for such achievements have been considered characteristic results of the Kerala model.

The reference, although initially coined back in the 1970s, became highly popular after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the nation. It was used to applaud the approach of the Kerala government to contain the first wave of the pandemic by keeping the mortality rates low.

Nevertheless, after the second wave hit the country, the term was generally used by social media users to criticise the State for its inability to contain the cases, even when the rest of the country appeared to be recuperating.

Case Title: T.M Azad v State of Kerala & Ors.