Pinarayi slams medicine ‘shortage’ at govt. hospitals; says UDF govt. helping private sector health lobby

Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan has harshly criticized the ruling UDF government for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to undermine the public health sector in Kerala by deliberately creating medicine shortages in state hospitals. The leader of the Opposition argued that the state government is failing to provide adequate supplies of even life-saving drugs, putting the lives of ordinary citizens at risk.

Vijayan pointed to an "unprecedented" shortage of medications, ranging from paracetamol and IV fluids to antibiotics and anti-rabies vaccines, in government hospitals. He alleged that major categories of medicines and hospital equipment have yet to reach the hospitals this financial year. The leader of the Opposition also blamed frequent changes at the helm of Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd, the entity responsible for medicine distribution, for the procurement failures and delays in placing purchase orders.

The Health Minister, K. Muraleedharan, presented data at a review meeting, stating that essential medicines and antibiotics are currently stocked in the hospitals. However, he also directed that the procurement process be revamped, with middlemen removed and agencies dealing in imported medicines also allowed to participate in tenders.

Muraleedharan emphasized that a comprehensive overhaul is underway at KMSCL, and its effects should be visible in the coming days.