Transfer of Kerala’s Director of Health Services kicks up a row

The swift and unexpected removal of Kerala’s Director of Health Services (DHS) KJ Reena by the government is sparking a snowballing debate on the appropriateness and timing of the government’s action, especially as the State is currently battling several outbreaks.

Dr., who has been appointed as Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory, Ernakulam, a post which has been “temporarily elevated to the level equivalent to that of DHS” as per government order (GO) to align with DHS. Reena said the government’s move was shocking.

He added that if the government was not interested in retaining him as the State’s public health officer, he could be given an honorable exit considering his 30 years of service in the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Reena was scheduled to retire in April 2027.

The government order, issued on Friday, June 12, 2026, was issued only by Dr. It stated that Reena had completed three years as DHS and the government would consider the selection process for a regular DHS appointment. Also, Dr. He added a further statement that Reena had taken advantage of 15 days of leave during the pandemic, raising speculation that she was dismissed because she sought leave at a time when the public healthcare system was under serious pressure.

Minister’s attitude

Facing a barrage of questions on Saturday, June 13, 2026, on how the government removed DHS, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan denied reports that he was transferred because he was on leave.

Mr. Muraleedharan was informed by the Principal Secretary (Health) of DHS that Dr. He said Reena had completed her three-year term as DHS and was transferred based on a memorandum stating that the government was now free to extend her service or call for an election process to elect a new person to the post. He added that the transfer was also in response to “some actions by DHS that the government did not like.”

Letter to Devaswom Commissioner

Himself, Dr. He referred to a letter written by Reena to the Devaswom Commissioner on May 20, 2026, requesting the board to appoint special medical personnel to provide medical services during the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season; because the deployment of a large number of public doctors and paramedics together for several days was creating both a major financial crisis and a major human resources crisis in public hospitals.

He suggested that the appointment of a dedicated team of doctors and paramedics for the Hajj season would be a viable solution to the HR crisis and service cuts faced by the Health department.

Mr Muraleedharan was disturbed that DHS sent such communication without consulting the government and said it also contributed to the government’s decision to remove him from the DHS post.

controversial topic

The appointment of a number of doctors and medical personnel from the Health department during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season in Sabarimala has always been a controversial issue within the Health department and the medical community. Government doctors point out that anesthesiologists, surgeons and orthopedic specialists all had to work in Sabarimala at a time when public hospitals were in a difficult situation due to staff shortage.

Sources in the health department said Dr. He said Reena’s letter was carefully worded explaining the problems faced by the department and nowhere in the letter did she take a stand that the Health Services could not provide medical staff to Sabarimala.

They said it was normal for every government to choose people of its choosing to head departments, but it was unusual for a person who had served in the department for many years to be forced to leave under a cloud.