In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Kasaragod District Panchayat has launched a free breakfast scheme for all in-patients at the District Hospital in Kanhangad, marking a significant step in strengthening patient welfare support in Kerala’s public healthcare system.
The scheme, which began on Monday, makes the hospital one of the first district hospitals in the state where in-patients are assured three meals a day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—through a combination of government, community, and voluntary support systems.
District Panchayat President A. Sabu Abraham said the initiative is the first of its kind in Kerala where a district panchayat has directly taken responsibility for providing breakfast to all in-patients. The menu, finalised in consultation with the hospital dietitian, includes items such as puttu and kadala curry, dosa, idli, sambar, chutney, and egg curry. He also said the panchayat is considering extending the scheme to dialysis patients and their caregivers.
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Kanhangad MLA Govindan Pallikkappil, who inaugurated the scheme, said the idea emerged from public interaction forums conducted by the district panchayat, where residents suggested improving patient welfare services, including breakfast provision at the hospital.
The new initiative completes the daily food support system at the district hospital, which has long been sustained through multiple community contributions. Lunch for in-patients has been provided for years by RSS-affiliated Seva Bharati, while dinner support has been handled by DYFI, the youth wing of the CPM.
Breakfast support earlier existed only in limited form, with the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation providing meals every Saturday, and a district medical office attender independently preparing food at home for a small number of destitute patients.
The district panchayat’s intervention now consolidates these fragmented efforts into a structured system. The panchayat has earmarked ₹20 lakh for the project, with around 180 patients admitted at the hospital on average each day.
Food preparation and distribution have been entrusted to the Kannaki Kudumbashree unit of Kanhangad Municipality following a quotation process.
Officials said the scheme is expected to ease the financial burden on economically weaker patients and their families, particularly during long hospital stays, and confirmed that additional funds will be allocated if required to sustain the programme throughout the panchayat’s tenure.
