‘Needs to do more’: Thrikkakara Coop Hospital rapped for straying from vision
KOCHI: When the Thrikkakara Municipal Co-operative Hospital was launched on June 13, 1999, the goal was clear—offer affordable treatment to local residents, especially those priced out of the booming private healthcare system.
Now, 27 years on, the hospital stands as the only one in Kerala established under the People’s Plan project of a local body. But has it delivered on the cooperative vision it promised?
The hospital, which began with just two doctors and two nurses, now sees around 800 patients daily, with 28 doctors and 15 consultants on board. It claims to charge only a third of the cost compared to private hospitals. But critics say a co-operative hospital has to do more than just treat patients cheaply.
“Expert treatment at low cost is welcome. But this hospital was born out of a decentralised development model. It should do more in preventive healthcare and public health,” said M M Abbas, a public health activist and founding promoter of the hospital.
“Being a cooperative doesn’t just mean being non-profit. It must stick to its founding principles — democracy, autonomy, community focus.”Abbas was the local coordinator of the People’s Plan when the hospital was conceived. He recalls how the Thrikkakara panchayat set apart an old building and `50,000 from its annual project funds. “We bought an X-ray machine with `6 lakh from the district panchayat. Most of the funding came from public money, not just member contributions. So, this is not just a members’ institution. It should be treated — and run — as an arm of the public health system,” he said.
That’s a sentiment echoed by Dr D Narayana, a leading health economist, who says many cooperative hospitals in the state have shifted away from their orientation in service. “Earlier, cooperative hospitals had local government support and focused on service. Now, many are struggling to survive and are trying to make profits like private hospitals. That raises treatment costs and alienates lower-income patients,” he said.
Data from the registrar of co-operatives shows that as of March 2020, 200 cooperative hospitals were registered in Kerala, but only 103 remain functional. According to Narayana, the pressure to match private hospital facilities without corresponding public support has left many of these institutions in limbo.
Dr M P Sukumaran Nair, president of the hospital, insists they are still committed to affordable care. “We started before Kakkanad urbanised. Today we are growing, planning new facilities and expansion. Our aim is still to serve the lower strata,” he said.
Abbas warns that unless the hospital remains rooted in its founding ideals, it risks becoming just another private player in disguise.