Kerala's community-based healthcare model key to tackling diabetes: Health Minister K Muraleedharan

The Minister inaugurates the 14th Annual Global Diabetes Convention

Trivandrum / July 11, 2026

Thiruvananthapuram, July 11: Kerala's emphasis on preventive and community-based healthcare is central to addressing the growing burden of diabetes, State Health Minister K Muraleedharan said while inaugurating the 14th Annual Global Diabetes Convention, calling for stronger public-private partnerships and wider adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare.

The three-day convention, organised by Jothidev’s Professional Education Forum (JPEF), has brought together around 2,500 delegates, including leading diabetes specialists, researchers and healthcare professionals from India and abroad.

Highlighting Kerala's public health strategy, Muraleedharan said the state has consistently focused on preventive care through its Ayushman Arogya Mandir network and Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) clinics to ensure early detection and continuous follow-up of patients.

"Kerala has always believed in preventive and community-based healthcare through our Ayushman Arogya Mandir network and NCD clinics. We are working to ensure early detection and follow-up, but we also know that technology and evidence-based practice must go hand in hand," he said.

Describing diabetes as one of India's biggest public health challenges, the Minister said the disease affects families across the country but also presents an opportunity to transform healthcare through innovation and collaboration.

He said the convention reflects how Kerala and India are embracing emerging technologies and scientific advances to improve diabetes care. Muraleedharan stressed the need for greater collaboration between the government and the private sector, particularly in AI-enabled healthcare solutions.

"We need to encourage public-private partnerships in every possible way, especially in AI and technology-based patient care, to provide better services to the general public," he said.

The Minister said that his office has introduced an AI-powered system to monitor and address public grievances.

"To my knowledge, mine is the first minister's office in Kerala to implement an AI tool for grievance redressal. I believe this is the way forward for healthcare and governments alike," he said.

He also lauded the convention's emphasis on research, noting that it had received more than 70 scientific abstracts from across India. He praised the B Kesavadev APF Award for Best Young Researcher, saying initiatives that encourage young scientists are essential for the future of healthcare.

"As we deliberate on choosing the best in care, let us also remember those who cannot afford the best. Our mission must be to make advanced diabetes care affordable, accessible and equitable for all," he said.

In his welcome address, Convention Organising Secretary Dr Jothydev Kesavadev said JPEF 2026 is one of India's premier academic gatherings dedicated to advancing diabetes care through cutting-edge science, hands-on practical workshops and collaborative learning, with the goal of improving outcomes for millions of people living with diabetes.

The minister presented the JPEF Young Researcher Award to Dr Masuma Yasmin, JPEF Stalwart Physician Award Dr Shashank Joshi, and JPEF Scientific Excellence Award Dr Anuj Maheshwari.

The inaugural session was addressed by Dr Julia Mader of the Medical University of Graz, Austria; Dr. Smita Joshi, Executive Committee Member, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Dr KK Manojan, Vice Chairman of Gokulam Group of Health Institutions; Dr Shashank Joshi, Chief Advisor, JPEF; Dr Banshi Saboo, Chair, IDF South-East Asia; Dr Anuj Maheshwari, President, RSSDI; and Dr Rakesh Parikh, Secretary, RSSDI.

Among those present were Dr Ashok Kumar Das, Dr Georgi Abraham, Dr. A.V. Ravindran, Dr. Anita Nambiar, Dr. Ajith Kumar S., and Sunita Jothydev, Conference Director. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Arun Shankar, Organising Chairman.

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