Death of health inspector in Kerala: petition to CM seeks review of dual responsibilities of health workers
The death of a health inspector attached to health services in Kannur on Monday (August 10, 2026) has brought renewed focus on the workload of
The death of a health inspector attached to health services in Kannur on Monday (August 10, 2026) has brought renewed focus on the workload of field-level health workers, who are expected to carry out duties of the Health department as well as those assigned by local self-government institutions. Deepa Lekha, who worked at the Chokkli Family Health Centre in the district, collapsed and died while speaking at a meeting of the grama panchayat. K. Pratibha, a medical officer in health services, has now written to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, demanding that the government examine the workload and responsibilities of Health department employees.
Health department institutions were brought under the jurisdiction of local self-government bodies as part of the decentralisation process, with the aim of taking administration closer to people. In her letter, Dr. Pratibha points out that medical officers and other field-level health workers of the Health department, particularly those working in primary, community and family health centres, are the ones bearing the brunt of responsibilities assigned to them by the two departments. ‘No clear directives’ However, no clear directives have so far been issued regarding the additional workload and responsibilities associated with such duties, she said.
Given the circumstances under which Lekha collapsed and died, it is necessary to examine the difficulties arising from this arrangement of dual responsibilities that the employees have to contend with, Dr. Pratibha said in her petition. She added that she had earlier submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary, requesting that a decision be made in the matter. The Kerala High Court had issued directives in this regard in 2024, and the State Planning Board had heard the views of the representatives of local self-government institutions as well as doctors’ professional bodies.
But the Local Self-Government department did not issue any orders after the hearing.
The BriefWire