Abstract

The Kerala model refers to the practices adopted by the Kerala State to improve the Human Development Index of the people living in the state. The achievements of Kerala in this aspect can be compared with that of the developed countries especially in health care sector. The state has got strong social indicators like high literacy and life expectancy rates, improved access to healthcare, low infant mortality and birth rates. The much-acclaimed Kerala model of development is characterized by the achievements of the state in having strong social indicators like education, healthcare, high life expectancy, low infant mortality rates. This was achieved due to the efforts taken by the state in the creation of productive social infrastructure. The healthcare system prevailing in the state is considered to be the principal factor responsible for attaining high level of health status when compared with the rest of the country. Both modern medicine and AYUSH system of medicine have played a crucial role in providing universal access and availability of health care facilities to the poor sections of the society in Kerala. It is also important to note the role played by the State Government’s Health Insurance Schemes like the Karunya Scheme and the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP) which was instrumental in making health care accessible to the poor and weaker sections of the society. The most recent example of the success of the ‘Kerala Model’ can be seen in the successful tackling of the NIPAH outbreaks and also in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic situation. The state government has successfully tackled both these situations by efficient utilization of the government machinery and human resources available at its disposal. This paper analyses the Kerala model of healthcare and its role in achieving sustainable development goal objectives pertaining to health.

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