{
  "id": 11626451,
  "title": "Keralam Health Minister denies medicine shortages in govt hospitals, alleges pharma companies behind such claims",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/keralam-health-minister-denies-medicine-shortages-in-govt-hospitals-11626451",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-03T07:06:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/keralam-health-minister-denies-medicine-shortages-in-govt-hospitals-alleges-pharma-companies-behind-such-claims/article71539895.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kerala's Health Minister, K. Muraleedharan, denied reports of medicine shortages in government hospitals on October 3, 2026. He dismissed the claims as a \"media creation\" and insisted that sufficient stocks were available. Muraleedharan accused some pharmaceutical companies of attempting to create an impression of a shortage and alleged that sections of the media were highlighting these claims. He dismissed any intimidation from pharmaceutical company representatives who had come with sticks and swords. Concerning the spread of infectious diseases, Muraleedharan stated that the number of cases reported so far was lower than during the same period last year. The Health Minister also rejected Union Minister Suresh Gopi's allegation that the state government was not cooperating with the Centre regarding the proposed AIIMS in Kerala. He said the Principal Secretary of the Health Department had submitted a report to the Centre on the matter. Muraleedharan said that there were no specific preferences for the location of the AIIMS and only demanded that Kerala get an AIIMS. Regarding medical negligence cases, Muraleedharan said the Health Department had not received any direct complaints. He also mentioned that preparations for the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season were progressing well.",
  "summary": "He describes such reports as ‘media creation’ and maintains that adequate stocks are available in government hospitals",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "GH¢1.64bn NHIS claims paid in 2026 as Private Health Facilities welcome improved reimbursements",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/gh-1-64bn-nhis-claims-paid-in-2026-as-private-health-facilities",
        "published": "2026-10-03T05:55:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu Health",
        "title": "Keralam Health Minister denies medicine shortages in govt hospitals, alleges pharma companies behind such claims",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/keralam-health-minister-denies-medicine-shortages-in-govt-hospitals",
        "published": "2026-10-03T07:06:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}