Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Satheesan Blames Previous Government for Keralam Medicine Shortages
Keralam’s chief minister spoke about shortages of some medicines.
He said the problem began with orders made by the previous government, not the current one.
Hospitals tell officials which medicines they need ahead of time.
The medicines are then bought through a tender process.
Satheesan said 28 medicines had supply problems.
He said only four or five medicines were actually unavailable.
The government moved extra supplies to places that needed them.
It also ordered some medicines locally for emergencies.
The report does not include a response from the previous government.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said current medicine shortages stemmed from procurement lapses under the previous LDF government.
He said district medical officers submit medicine requisitions in the previous year, before KMSCL tenders and orders supplies.
Satheesan said 28 medicines had supply issues, but claimed only four or five were unavailable.
The government shifted stocks from areas with surplus medicines to places facing shortages.
He said unavailable medicines were also ordered through local purchases where needed for emergencies.
- Who
- Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan
- What
- He attributed medicine shortages to procurement-related lapses under the previous government and described measures to address them.
- When
- Friday, October 9; the year is not specified in the report.
- Where
- Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam
- Why
- Satheesan said the previous year's medicine requisition process was not done properly.
Current chief minister's account
Previous government's response
Responsibility for medicine shortages
Current chief minister's account
Satheesan blamed the previous LDF government's procurement-related lapses, saying the prior year's requisition process was not done properly.
Previous government's response
The report does not include a response from the previous government.
Extent of medicine unavailability
Current chief minister's account
Satheesan said 28 medicines faced supply problems, but only four or five were unavailable.
Previous government's response
The report provides no separate account from the previous government about the extent of the shortages.
- Speaker
- Chief Minister V D Satheesan
- Reported location
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Reported date
- October 9; year not specified
- Procurement agency
- Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd (KMSCL)
- Medicines with reported supply problems
- 28
- Medicines Satheesan said were unavailable
- Four or five
- Measures described
- Shifting stock between locations and arranging local purchases where needed