Denmark Seeks Collaboration with Kerala’s Kudumbashree in Elderly Care

Thiruvananthapuram: Denmark is exploring collaboration with Kerala’s Kudumbashree network in the field of elderly care. A high-level Danish delegation, including Minister for Elderly and Social Affairs Matthe Kirkegaard and India’s Ambassador to Denmark Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, discussed potential partnership opportunities with Kudumbashree.

The discussions focused on training Kudumbashree members for deployment as social health care helpers in Denmark. The delegation was briefed on the “K for Care” initiative, which equips participants with skills in geriatric and palliative care. Denmark appreciated Kudumbashree’s model interventions and assured follow-up on future cooperation.

Since its inception, Kudumbashree has trained over 1,000 individuals under K for Care, in partnership with institutions such as the National Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (NIPMR), HLS PPT (Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust), and Aspirant Learning Academy. The month-long residential training prepares participants for roles in elderly care across Kerala, with additional training and Danish language proficiency required for overseas deployment.

The initiative highlights Kerala’s potential to contribute significantly to caregiving, building on its model palliative care programmes through local self-governance institutions. Kudumbashree’s work in this field has already gained recognition from international organisations.

Minister for Local Self Government MB Rajesh described the collaboration as a milestone, stating that Kudumbashree is poised to reach new heights.