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Hospital Management Committee (HMC) in Kerala — Guidelines, Members, Funds and Meetings
Every local-body-run government hospital in Kerala up to district level has a Hospital Management Committee (HMC) that oversees local needs, manages the HMC fund and can hire temporary staff. Here is how it works.
A Hospital Management Committee (HMC) is the local committee that oversees a government hospital run under a local body in Kerala. It is formed under Section 173A of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 and the 2010 Rules on managing committees for public health institutions, has up to 15 members, is chaired by the local body president, has the hospital's Medical Officer as convener, manages the HMC fund and meets at least once every three months.
Last reviewed: 24 October 2026 · Treneywann Institute of Hospital Administration, Vyttila, Kochi
Who Sits on the HMC?
Membership lists differ slightly between local bodies; the governing rule is the 2010 Rules under the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act. The HMC's term ends with the local body's term, and vacancies are filled by nomination.
HMC Fund — Where the Money Comes From and How It Is Used
- Income: OP ticket fees, lab charges and donations go into the HMC fund.
- Custody: held by the member secretary in a joint account of the chairperson and member secretary in a nationalised bank.
- Spending: approved by the HMC; urgent needs can be met by the Medical Officer and Chairperson.
- Temporary staff: the HMC can appoint temporary staff — such as sweepers, security, nurses or lab technicians — from its fund so patient care is not interrupted.
- Audit: accounts are audited by the State Audit Department.
HMC Meetings and Responsibilities
- Meet at least once every three months
- Review patient services, cleanliness, equipment and staff gaps
- Approve spending from the HMC fund
- Plan improvements with local-body and NHM funds
- Respond to public complaints about the hospital
Where Hospital Administrators Fit In
In government hospitals, administrative and accounts staff prepare HMC meeting papers, maintain fund accounts and records, process temporary appointments and report service indicators. Many HMC-funded temporary posts — data entry, billing counter and front office — are entry points for hospital administration graduates.
How Treneywann Teaches This
Treneywann Institute of Hospital Administration teaches government and public-hospital administration alongside private-hospital operations — committees, funds, records and reporting — so graduates can work in both sectors.
FAQs — Hospital Management Committee Kerala
Who is the chairman of the Hospital Management Committee in Kerala?
For a hospital under a Grama Panchayat, the Panchayat President chairs the HMC, and the hospital's Medical Officer is the convener and member secretary.
How many members are in a Hospital Management Committee?
Up to 15 members for hospitals up to district level, under the 2010 Rules on managing committees for public health institutions.
What is the HMC fund?
The fund made up of OP ticket fees, lab charges and donations, held in a joint bank account of the chairperson and member secretary, spent with HMC approval and audited by the State Audit Department.
Can the HMC appoint staff?
Yes — the HMC can appoint temporary staff such as sweepers, security, nurses or lab technicians from its fund when there are shortages, so patient care continues.
How often does the HMC meet?
At least once every three months.
Sources and further reading
Summarised from Kerala local-body (LSGD) published notes on Hospital Management Committees. Membership details vary by local body; refer to the 2010 Rules for the authoritative text.
Want to Work in Hospital Administration?
Hospitals need administrators who understand insurance, records, compliance and patient services. The 1-Year Hospital Administration Course is ₹64,000; the 6 Months Hospital Administration Course (for healthcare professionals) is ₹42,000 — next batch 9 November 2026 at Vyttila, Kochi, with 100% Placement Assurance.
