The government will soon launch a Public Health Protection Agency to forge convergence of agencies and the Health Department to address public health challenges, Minister for Health V.S. Sivakumar told the Assembly on Wednesday.
A committee headed by the Chief Minister as chairman, Health Minister as vice chairman, other Ministers concerned, and top officials heading various departments will take care of the agency, which will function under the Health Department, Mr. Sivakumar said in reply to a question.
The agency will have a health observatory wing, training division, and a project formulation division. An advisory committee will be set up with national-level experts. The Minister said the agency would be able to check increasing epidemics during the rainy season and lifestyle diseases.
In reply to another question, the Minister said the Kerala Clinical Establishment Bill had been given to the Legislature Secretariat and would be introduced in the next session of the Assembly.
