‘Health department has a huge financial liability, owes Rs 476 crore to pharmaceutical companies'

KOZHIKODE: Health Minister K Muraleedharan said the health department has a major financial liability. He clarified that crores of arrears have to be paid to pharmaceutical companies and Rs 2017 crore has to be paid in the Karunya Suraksha scheme alone. He was speaking at the Kayakalpam programme organized by the health department in Kozhikode. Kayakalpam is a programme led by the health minister with the aim of directly understanding and solving the challenges and crises facing the health sector.

'The financial arrears are even affecting the availability of life-saving equipment. This is often the reason why surgeries are postponed in government hospitals. Approximately Rs 476 crore has to be paid to pharmaceutical companies. This department should be straightened out. Lower-level hospitals should be developed. The propaganda that the health sector is being privatized is completely untrue.

There is no space to develop Mananthavady Medical College. This is the result of the stubbornness of some. Due to the inconveniences there, patients have to come to Kozhikode Medical College. Necessary land will be found to expand Mananthavady Medical College. The fitness of the hospitals will be increased. There needs to be a revamp in the health department as well. It is not a political change but an administrative change. The government will not yield to strikes or protests in transfer issue,' clarified the minister.