Keralam is setting up a task force to come up with a holistic plan for health and longevity
The Government of Kerala has constituted a high-level task force to develop an evidence-based roadmap for step-by-step prevention and early detection framework, along with an appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plan and an action plan for healthy ageing, with the broader objective of creating a ‘Kerala Holistic Model for Health, Wellness and Longevity’.
According to a government order issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday, the task force will be headed by Chief Minister VD Satheesan, with Health Minister K. Muraleedharan vice-chairman. Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare and AYUSH) will be the member-coordinator.
The 16-member task force includes KR Jyothilal, Additional Principal Secretary (Finance); Ratan Kelkar, Secretary to the Chief Minister; Deepak Singhal, former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh; Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi; Faizal E Kottikolon, Chairman, KEF Holdings; C. Devidas Varier, Managing Director, AVP Coimbatore; Harsh Mahajan, chairman of Mahajan Imaging and Labs; Pratap Chauhan, Chairman, Jive Ayurva; Kancherioa Ravindranath, Chairman, Global Hospital, Hyderabad; SS Lal, director of ReAct Asia Pacific; PM Varier, Chief Medical Officer, Arya Vaidya Sala Kottakkal; MV Pillai, Chairman, International Cancer Care Network, USA, and Nisha Nigil, President-Elect, Kerala Medical Alumni Association, North America.
The task force was asked to first assess Kerala’s disease burden, aging trends, health service capacity and access gaps and identify priority populations, diseases and districts.
The way forward
It will then design a step-by-step prevention and early detection framework including risk assessment, screening protocols, referral pathways, follow-up, and measurable coverage goals, consistent with existing state and national programs.
A significant part of its mandate is to research and identify evidence-based models for coordination between modern medicine, Ayurveda and other recognized systems of medicine. Specifically, the order requires clearly defined scopes of practice, clinical management, consent, contraindications, referral mechanisms and adverse event reporting.
The task force will also review the creation of a network of diagnostic, hospital, rehabilitation and wellness services, including criteria for pilot projects, accreditation, quality assurance and independent evaluation.
Another proposed component is the implementation of the Keralam Health Intelligence and Longevity Grid with an emphasis on interoperability with existing health systems, consent, privacy, cyber security and data governance.
Its mandate covers workforce development in nursing, allied health, public health and related systems of medicine. It will also establish research partnerships in the field of economics and healthcare financing.
The task force was asked to explore possible models of investment and public-private partnerships (PPPs) for diagnostics and wellness infrastructure, specifying fiscal exposure, procurement guarantees and public benefit.
It will also examine standards and opportunities for health and wellness tourism and identify legal, regulatory and institutional changes needed to implement its recommendations.
The order also recommends facilitating and supporting the proposed World Holistic Health Forum, a “global NGO”, after assessing its purpose, financial commitment and expected results, to explore Kerala’s position as a “cradle and destination” for holistic health, wellness and longevity.
Action oriented message
The working group is required to submit an action report within two months of its first meeting.
The report is expected to include a basic assessment and priorities, two or three defined pilot projects with details; three-year phase plan, indicative costs and funding sources and fiscal risks.
The task force is also expected to draft institutional and regulatory arrangements and an implementation panel indicating milestones and responsible departments.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare will function as a nodal department with the support of AYUSH, Finance and other departments. Research, analytical, financial, technical and secretarial staff will be represented from the Ministry of Health and its affiliated organisations.
Published – 7 Oct 2026 20:58 IST