The Indian Medical Association (IMA) marked February 13, 2026, as 'Public Health Protection Day' to demand that small and medium hospitals in Kerala be exempted from the Kerala Clinical Establishments (KCE) Act. IMA members held protests across the state, including a dharna outside the Directorate of Health Services in the capital and similar demonstrations in front of District Medical Officers' offices. The IMA argued that small hospitals, mostly run by doctors, provide quality treatment at affordable costs. They mostly employ medical and paramedical staff but have limited office infrastructure. This model helps keep operational costs low, benefiting patients with cheaper care. The IMA warned that forcing these hospitals to meet strict infrastructural and administrative norms under the KCE Act would raise operational costs. "This would inevitably be transferred to patients, resulting in higher cost of care," the association said. The IMA pointed out that outpatient clinics offering consultation services are already exempt from the Act. However, officials' unnecessary interventions with these clinics hinder affordable and quality outpatient services. "Such interferences run contrary to the government’s stated objective in offering exemption," the IMA added. Led by IMA district committees, representatives from 110 IMA branches participated in the protests. A memorandum outlining these demands was submitted to the authorities by IMA State president M.N. Menon and State secretary Roy R. Chandran.