{
  "id": 11629324,
  "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-11629324",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-03T07:06:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
    "slug": "the-hindu-sci-tech",
    "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": "On October 3, 2026, Kerala's Health Minister K. Muraleedharan dismissed reports of medicine shortages in government hospitals and accused pharmaceutical companies of creating such a narrative. In a press conference, Mr. Muraleedharan maintained that government hospitals had sufficient stock of medicines and dismissed claims of a crisis. He alleged that some pharmaceutical companies and sections of the media were attempting to manufacture a shortage of medicines. Mr. Muraleedharan also rejected Union Minister Suresh Gopi's allegation regarding the proposed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kerala, stating that the Principal Secretary of the Health Department had submitted a report to the Centre. He emphasized the state's demand for an AIIMS in Kerala, rather than a location preferred by Mr. Gopi. Regarding medical negligence cases, the Health Department had not received any direct complaints. Mr. Muraleedharan, who also oversees the Devaswom portfolio, mentioned that preparations for the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season were underway and that the government was providing support to the Travancore Devaswom Board. The pilgrimage season is set to begin on November 17.",
  "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."
}