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Keralam Health Minister Dismisses Medicine Shortage Campaigns As Misleading
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News18•05-10-2026, 18:30
Keralam Health Minister Dismisses Medicine Shortage Campaigns As Misleading
- •Keralam Health Minister K Muraleedharan stated that campaigns regarding medicine availability in the state are misleading and the shortage is only temporary.
- •The temporary supply disruption was attributed to the ongoing West Asian war and the withdrawal of certain suppliers.
- •The government has enabled Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd to procure medicines quickly from other states and permitted direct local purchases by hospitals.
- •The minister addressed Opposition allegations of an acute shortage, emphasizing that preventive measures and healthcare services remain a top priority.
Key Questions Answered
The temporary disruption in medicine supplies was caused by the ongoing war in West Asia and the subsequent withdrawal of certain suppliers.
The government has enabled quick procurement from other states via KMSCL, permitted local purchases through Hospital Development Societies and Committees, and set up a special committee to assess medicine availability.
The district vaccine and family welfare store features around 20 deep freezers, a cold chain workshop, and generator facilities. The integrated public health laboratory provides 24-hour emergency diagnostic services for infectious disease testing, haematology, biochemistry, microbiology, virology, and pathology.