Kerala updates hospital pay ward policy and reports Nipah recovery

The Kerala government has decided to remove income limitations for patients wishing to access pay ward facilities in government hospitals. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan announced the move, stating it aims to make healthcare more patient-friendly and ensure better facilities are available to all regardless of financial status. The previous system often created procedural hurdles for patients, particularly those arriving at emergency departments who could not immediately provide accurate income details.

In a separate health development, a 43-year-old man has been discharged from the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode after making a full recovery from the Nipah virus. Admitted in critical condition on June 11, the patient underwent nearly two months of intensive treatment and rehabilitation. Medical officials noted significant improvement in neurological damage, with the patient regaining normal memory and cognitive functions. The minister attributed the successful recovery to the collective efforts of healthcare staff and the procurement of antiviral medication to support the treatment.