Kerala health minister K Muraleedharan on Monday announced that an expert panel from the health department would investigate alleged irregularities in the construction of isolation wards across 88 constituencies following the Covid-19 pandemic.The minister said the facilities, built at an expenditure of approximately Rs 1.8 crore each, had limited public utility as several lacked essential amenities.Muraleedharan was responding to a submission in the state assembly by Congress MLA VP Sajeendran, who represents Kunnathunad. The legislator alleged that the project had been approved by former health minister Veena George and termed it a “loot”.Sajeendran called for the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to examine the alleged lapses and demanded that the two agencies associated with the project be blacklisted. He also sought action against officials found responsible and an inquiry into whether George had any role in the alleged irregularities.Rs 250 crore sanctioned for 88 isolation wardsMuraleedharan said the state government had approved the construction of modern isolation wards in 88 constituencies at a total sanctioned cost of Rs 250 crore. The initiative was intended to strengthen Kerala’s preparedness for future outbreaks of communicable and infectious diseases.According to the minister, a Thrissur-based agency received the contract to construct the wards at an estimated cost of Rs 1.38 crore per facility. The Kerala medical services corporation limited (KMSCL) was assigned the responsibility of procuring equipment, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 44 lakh per ward.Only 55 wards completed, none fit to admit patientsAccording to the news agency PTI, the minister informed the assembly that construction had been completed at only 55 of the 88 proposed sites. The completed facilities were inaugurated in phases, he said.As of October 2026, 33 of the 55 completed wards had been handed over to hospitals, while the remaining 22 had been made operational with assistance from Kerala infrastructure investment fund consulting private limited (KIIFCON), Muraleedharan said.
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However, he claimed that none of the 55 completed facilities was suitable for admitting or treating patients.The minister also pointed to several alleged deficiencies in the buildings, including the absence of air-conditioning and toilets, unfinished civil works and ceilings that could not accommodate fans.Despite an expenditure of around Rs 1.83 crore per ward, the completed facilities were not fit to house patients, he said.In view of the alleged shortcomings, the government has constituted an expert committee headed by the principal secretary, health, to investigate the matter, Muraleedharan added.
