Kerala government hospitals face medicine supply disruptions

Government hospitals in Kerala are experiencing disruptions in the supply of essential medicines, leading to a dispute within the state's Health Department regarding the severity of the situation.

Health Minister K Muraleedharan has called for urgent procurement and new tenders to address the unavailability of drugs. However, Health Secretary Sharmila Devi Joseph has suggested the crisis may be overstated by the media, noting that the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) board is scheduled to meet soon.

Despite conflicting official stances, KMSCL officials have acknowledged that several medicines are unavailable, with reports indicating at least 28 specific drugs are out of stock. The issue appears to be a supply chain disruption rather than a total lack of inventory, as medicines are reaching warehouses but failing to arrive at hospitals in sufficient quantities.

Reported shortages include treatments for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and infections, as well as antibiotics, paracetamol, aspirin, and supplies for leptospirosis prevention. Some hospitals have reportedly resorted to local purchases to meet immediate patient needs due to delays in the KMSCL tendering and procurement process.