Strict action against those resorting to unscientific medical treatments, says Kerala Helath Minister

Health Minister Veena George warns against unscientific practices during emergencies, emphasizes on reducing infant mortality rate in Kerala.

Health Minister Veena George has said that strict action will be taken against those who resort to unscientific and improper methods during emergency medical situations such as childbirth.

She was at the Government Women and Children Hospital at Kottaparamba in Kozhikode on Saturday (April 12, 2025) to open an oxygen plant and a lactation management unit.

“The infant mortality rate at the national level is 27 per 1,000 live births. The World Health Organisation has set a target of reducing it to six. However, in Kerala, it is already as low as 4.3 per 1,000 live births,” the Minister said.

Ms. George said that any regressive steps that undermine the State’s achievements in the health sector would be dealt with severely and treated as criminal offences. Referring to a recent incident in which a mother died during childbirth at home in Malappuram, the Minister said that the woman was denied medical treatment despite suffering from bleeding for hours. This would be considered culpable homicide, she added.