Mandatory training for staff to make hospitals patient friendly

Public hospital staff in the state will undergo mandatory training in communication skills and people management to make hospitals more patient-friendly.

Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said training would be provided to all staff except doctors, from taluk hospitals to medical colleges. The Minister said that he has directed the Principal Secretary (Health) to take up the matter and complete it.

He clarified that the decision to introduce mandatory soft skills training for hospital staff was taken against the backdrop of countless complaints from patients and visitors about hospital staff misbehaviour, communication breakdowns and unsatisfactory interactions with the public.

The training will cover all employees of government medical college hospitals, district hospitals, general hospitals, women’s and children’s hospitals and taluk hospitals.

For staff training in medical colleges, four officials from each government medical college in each district will be identified and given special training as trainers. This will be conducted through the Apex Trauma and Emergency Learning Centre.

Master Trainers who complete this training will then provide training at the institution level in their respective medical schools.

The State Institute of Health and Family Welfare will be responsible for training selected officials from district, general, taluk and other public hospitals under DHS. These Master Trainers will organize training programs at district and institutional level.

It was suggested that the 10-day training program be conducted in batches of 10 so that the functioning of the hospitals is not affected. Mr. Muraleedharan directed that all employees should undergo training within a span of two months.

Special training will be given to security staff in hospitals, who are the first point of contact for patients and visitors. All security personnel, including those working on a temporary or contract basis, will be required to undergo training.

Published – 17 Jul 2026 23:03 IST