Isolation wards project to be investigated: Muraleedharan

The Health department’s ₹250-crore project to build isolation wards of 10 beds each in the State’s Assembly constituencies, a project sanctioned by the previous government in July 2021 for tackling future pandemics, will be investigated by an expert team led by the Principal Secretary (Health), Health Minister, K. Muraleedharan, said in the House on Monday. He was replying to a submission by V.P. Sajeendran, who pointed to the extremely poor condition of these isolation wards and called for an investigation into the “scam” committed during the previous government’s time 

Mr. Muraleedharan informed the House that none of the isolation wards completed so far were fit for patient care, with major construction defects and essential facilities missing. He said that the total outlay for the project was ₹250 crore and it was intended to strengthen the State’s preparedness for Covid-19-like pandemics and future epidemics. The project was to be  funded 50% by KIIFB, with the remaining 50% coming from the MLAs’ Asset Development Fund. The Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) was entrusted with implementation.

Of the 88 sites allotted in the first phase, 33 isolation wards had been completed and handed over to hospital authorities as of October 9, 2026. Construction had begun but remained incomplete at other sites, while five sites faced various obstacles. The construction contract was awarded to the Thrissur District Labour Contract Co-operative Society (TDLCCS) under the engineering, procurement and construction model. The cost per unit was ₹1.316 crore, with an additional ₹44.31 lakh paid for equipment through KMSCL.

The Minister said the buildings lacked air-conditioning, toilets and other essential facilities. Electrical, plumbing and civil works remained incomplete even in buildings that have been handed over. The roofs were reportedly too weak to support fans, while the sheet-based structures had deteriorated and were unsuitable for Keralam’s climatic conditions. Despite the substantial expenditure, the buildings lacked the infrastructure needed to provide patient care, the Minister said, adding that a detailed reply on the issue was being tabled in the Assembly.