Politics · India · 1 hr ago
Kerala Assembly sees clash over medicine shortages in government hospitals
The opposition LDF and ruling UDF clashed over Kerala’s health services in the state Assembly on Tuesday.
The LDF said government hospitals faced shortages of medicines, including drugs for long-term conditions and life-saving treatment, leaving patients struggling to get care.
Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said the situation was under control, while acknowledging shortages of some medicines.
He blamed the previous LDF government, saying it had not placed medicine orders in March because of election rules and had left unpaid bills to pharmaceutical companies.
The opposition walked out after it was denied permission to discuss the issue and questioned whether private hospital interests were involved.
The government says urgent steps are under way to address medicine shortages, and the Minister has requested a report on a recent medical negligence case, with action to follow.
Kerala’s ruling United Democratic Front and the Opposition Left Democratic Front clashed in the Assembly over medicine shortages in government hospitals.
Opposition MLA K.V. Sumesh moved an adjournment motion to discuss the shortages.
Sumesh said patients were struggling to obtain medicines for lifestyle diseases and that shortages of life-saving drugs had worsened the crisis.
Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said the situation was under control and that urgent measures had been started to address shortages of some medicines.
The Opposition staged a walkout after the Assembly denied permission to discuss the issue.
- Who
- The ruling United Democratic Front and the Opposition Left Democratic Front, including MLA K.V. Sumesh and Health Minister K. Muraleedharan.
- What
- They clashed over medicine shortages in government hospitals and the state of Kerala’s health sector.
- When
- Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
- Where
- The Kerala Legislative Assembly.
- Why
- The Opposition sought a debate on medicine shortages and raised other concerns about the health sector. The Minister disputed its account and blamed delayed medicine purchase orders and arrears left by the previous government.
Opposition Left Democratic Front
Ruling United Democratic Front
Medicine shortages
Opposition Left Democratic Front
The Opposition said patients were struggling to obtain medicines for lifestyle diseases and that life-saving drugs were also in short supply.
Ruling United Democratic Front
The Minister acknowledged shortages of certain medicines but said the health sector’s situation was under control and urgent measures were under way.
Causes and response
Opposition Left Democratic Front
The Opposition criticised the government’s handling of the issue and questioned whether there was a link between shortages and corporate private hospitals.
Ruling United Democratic Front
The Minister said the previous LDF government had not issued medicine purchase orders in March because of the election Model Code of Conduct and had accumulated arrears with pharmaceutical companies.
The Minister said the previous LDF government did not issue medicine purchase orders because of the Model Code of Conduct for polls.
Sumesh moved an adjournment motion on medicine shortages in government hospitals.
The Minister said urgent measures had been initiated to address shortages of certain medicines.
The Opposition staged a walkout after permission to discuss the issue was denied.
- Assembly
- Kerala Legislative Assembly
- Motion
- Adjournment motion on medicine shortages
- Opposition MLA
- K.V. Sumesh
- Health Minister
- K. Muraleedharan
- Walkout
- Opposition LDF staged a walkout
What people are saying
on a ventilator
the only medicine in short supply was one that could cure the Opposition of its ailment of having lost power
Sources
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