Kerala's Health Model Faces New Challenges of Ageing and NCDs Despite Strong Indicators

The Hindu - News · 25 Feb 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Health Mains · GS2 Governance High relevance

Kerala's exemplary health indicators, including IMR of 5 and MMR of 19, face emerging challenges from an ageing population and rising non-communicable diseases, testing the sustainability of its decentralized healthcare model.

Key points

Kerala's health indicators outperform national averages with IMR at 5 (national 25), MMR at 19 (national 97), and life expectancy of 75 years (national 70), comparable to developed nations.

Female literacy (93%) has been instrumental in Kerala's health success, enabling awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases and promoting universal immunization coverage.

Decentralized healthcare through Local Self-Governments (27.5% of state budget) and robust infrastructure (PHCs every 30,000 people) ensures last-mile delivery.

[GS2-Governance] Kerala's People's Plan Campaign demonstrates effective fiscal federalism in health, with ₹83,520 million allocated to LSGs in 2024-25 for grassroots planning.

Health infrastructure includes upgraded Family Health Centres, ASHA workers (1:1000 ratio), and 36 medical colleges, ensuring minimal staff vacancies unlike other states.

[GS1-Society] High female literacy and low fertility rate (1.5) have reduced maternal mortality by ensuring institutional deliveries and comprehensive antenatal care.

Emerging challenges include demographic transition with ageing population and rising NCDs, requiring policy shifts from infectious disease focus to geriatric care.

This connects to GS3-Environment as Kerala's health model shows how social determinants (literacy, governance) can overcome geographic limitations in healthcare delivery.

Way Forward: Kerala should establish specialized geriatric care units, integrate NCD screening in primary healthcare, and leverage its high literacy for digital health awareness campaigns.

Key terms

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

Number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births, a key indicator of healthcare system effectiveness and social development. Kerala's IMR of 5 reflects successful public health interventions and female empowerment.

Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)

Number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, measuring healthcare quality for pregnant women. Kerala's MMR of 19 demonstrates the impact of institutional deliveries and antenatal care accessibility.

Decentralized Healthcare

Administrative system where Local Self-Governments manage health budgets and programs, exemplified by Kerala's People's Plan Campaign allocating 27.5% state budget to LSGs for responsive local health solutions.

Family Health Centres

Upgraded Primary Health Centres under Ayushman Bharat, providing comprehensive primary care. Kerala's network (1 per 30,000 population) forms the backbone of its healthcare delivery system.