Kerala Faces Medicine Shortage in Government Hospitals, Patients Forced to Buy Surgical Items

The health system in Kerala is facing many serious problems these days. Many people in the state are now worried about the shortage of medicines in public hospitals. People who go to government hospitals for treatment are not able to get all the medicines they need. This is creating many problems for poor people who cannot afford to buy medicines from private shops. They go to public hospitals because treatment is free or cheap. But when medicines are not available, they suffer even more. They have to spend extra money to buy medicines from outside medical shops.

The opposition leader of Kerala, V.D. Satheesan, has raised this issue in public. He has blamed the Kerala government for this medicine shortage problem. He said that the government has failed to manage hospitals properly. Many hospitals do not have enough medicines, and patients are forced to bring their own medical items. Even things like surgical threads are not available in hospitals. Surgical threads are used to stitch wounds after operations. But now patients are asked to bring these threads themselves. This shows how bad the situation has become in Kerala hospitals.

According to V.D. Satheesan, this problem is happening in many government hospitals in Kerala. People from poor families, old people, and children are suffering the most. These people depend on free treatment from government hospitals. They cannot afford expensive treatment in private hospitals. But now, even government hospitals cannot give full treatment. This is because medicines and other medical items are not available. When patients need an operation, they are told to bring surgical threads and other medical materials. This makes it very difficult for poor families.

The health system of Kerala was once considered the best in India. Kerala has many good doctors and nurses. The state has always spent more money on health care compared to other states. But now the situation has changed. There are many problems in hospitals. There is a shortage of medicines and other items needed for operations and treatments. Patients are facing many difficulties because of this. Opposition parties say that the government has not taken proper steps to solve these problems. Many people feel that the health department is not working properly.

The Kerala government has now decided to start an investigation into this issue. The state health department has begun a probe into the shortages of medicines and medical items. The focus of the probe is on the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. This hospital is one of the biggest and most important hospitals in Kerala. It provides treatment to thousands of patients every day. But even in this big hospital, there is a shortage of surgical implants and other items. This has created fear and anger among the people.

To solve this problem, the health department has formed a special expert panel. This panel has four members who are experts in the health field. They will study the problems in the hospitals. They will find out why medicines and other items are not available. They will also suggest ways to improve the situation. The panel members will visit hospitals, meet doctors and nurses, and talk to patients. They will collect all the information needed to understand the problem fully. This investigation will help the government to take strong action to solve the issue.

The shortage of surgical implants is also a big problem in Kerala hospitals. Surgical implants are medical items that doctors use during operations. They are used to replace or support damaged body parts. Without these implants, many surgeries cannot happen. But now, even big hospitals like Thiruvananthapuram Medical College are facing a shortage of these implants. Patients who need these implants are suffering. They are told to buy implants from outside shops. This increases their expenses. Many poor families cannot afford these expensive medical items.

The people of Kerala are now very disappointed with the government. They feel that the government is not doing enough to improve the health system. The opposition parties are blaming the ruling government for the crisis. They say that the government is not managing hospitals properly. Many health officials are not doing their duties well. There are reports of corruption and mismanagement in some hospitals. Medicines and medical items are not reaching the hospitals on time. This is why there is a shortage of medicines, surgical threads, and implants.

The health minister of Kerala, Veena George, has come under pressure because of this issue. Many political leaders and the public are asking her to take responsibility for the crisis. Some people are demanding her resignation. They say that under her leadership, the health system has become weak. But the health minister has promised to solve the problem quickly. She has assured the people that the investigation will be fair and strict action will be taken. She said that steps are being taken to improve the supply of medicines and other medical items.

The people of Kerala want quick action from the government. They are asking for immediate steps to improve the supply of medicines in hospitals. They want the health department to ensure that surgical threads, implants, and other important medical items are always available. Poor people should not be forced to buy these items from outside shops. They want the government to punish those who are responsible for the shortages. Many believe that only strict action will improve the situation. They want the health system of Kerala to become strong again.

Kerala has always been known for good health care services. The state has many good doctors, nurses, and hospitals. People from other states also come to Kerala for treatment. But now, the medicine shortage is creating a bad image for the state. Many patients are suffering because they cannot get full treatment. The poor and middle-class families are affected the most. They do not have money to buy costly medicines and implants. They depend on free treatment from government hospitals. The medicine shortage has made their lives more difficult.

The opposition leader V.D. Satheesan has warned that the government must act fast. He said that the health system is collapsing because of mismanagement. Many people have lost trust in government hospitals. They now prefer private hospitals, but private hospitals are expensive. This is not possible for everyone. So, people are asking the government to fix the public health system. They want better management, more medicines, proper supply of surgical items, and honest health officials. Only then can the health system work well for all people.

The expert panel set up by the health department has a big responsibility. They have to find out the reasons for the shortages. They have to suggest strong steps to solve the problem. They will check the hospital records, talk to doctors, meet patients, and inspect the medical stores. They will also find out if there is any corruption in the system. Many people believe that corruption is the reason for the medicine shortage. Some officials may be misusing funds or not working properly. The panel will investigate all these matters.

The health department has promised that after the panel submits its report, strict action will be taken. If any official is found guilty, they will be punished. The government has also said that it will improve the supply of medicines and medical items in all hospitals. More funds will be given to hospitals for buying important items. Steps will be taken to ensure that poor patients do not suffer. The government wants to win back the trust of the people. It wants to make Kerala’s health system strong once again.

People of Kerala are hoping that the investigation will bring positive changes. They want hospitals to have all medicines, surgical threads, implants, and other necessary items. They want the health minister and other officials to work honestly. They want government hospitals to provide full treatment to all patients, especially poor people. They believe that if the government works sincerely, the health system can improve. But they also want quick action. They cannot wait for months. The suffering of patients must end soon.

The health crisis in Kerala has also attracted attention from other states. Many health experts and political leaders from across India are watching the situation closely. They are giving suggestions to Kerala on how to solve the problem. Some experts say that proper planning, better management, and strict monitoring are the key to solving the crisis. They say that medicines and medical items should be purchased on time. There should be no corruption or mismanagement. Only then can patients get full treatment in government hospitals.

Kerala has faced many health challenges in the past, like the Nipah virus outbreak, floods, and Covid-19. But the people of Kerala have always fought these problems bravely. The government has also taken strong steps during those times. But now the medicine shortage crisis is different. It is related to management and administration. The government must show the same seriousness and commitment to solve this problem. People hope that the investigation will bring the truth out and improve the health system for all. The people of Kerala are waiting for better days in health care.