Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala cabinet on Tuesday approved a draft Medical Policy which necessitates all students seeking admission must produce a vaccination card, said state Health Minister K.K. Shailaja.

Immunisation has been made mandatory for school admission after many anti-vaccination campaigns led to violence and protest in the state.

The new health policy also noted that action will be taken against people who hold campaigns against immunisation programmes in the state.

Shailaja said among the other major highlights in the draft policy includes autonomy for the state run medical colleges, primary health centres in the state to function till 6 p.m, separate clinics for transgenders, and a training programme for the common public who will be trained in trauma care so as to act quickly when an accident occurs.

“The cabinet has approved the draft health policy. The Health Department will be divided into Public health and Clinic with the launch of new health policy,” said health minister.

According to the basic health protocol presently in the state, vaccination for babies, starting from two months, includes against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella and polio.

The draft policy was prepared by a team of 17 experts which was led by eminent neurosurgeon and Kerala University's former Vice-Chancellor B. Iqbal.

Service of Public Health Centres will be extended till 6 pm.

The Health Minister observed that the government is anxious about commercialisation of health sector in Kerala.

Important recommendations in Health Policy