'Do not disclose information to media': DHS admits to medicine shortage; audio message surfaces

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An audio message from the Director of Health Services, acknowledging a shortage of medicines in government hospitals, surfaced in the public domain on Monday night. The message, instructing ways to ensure medicine availability and directing hospital superintendents not to speak to the media regarding the issue, was circulated in WhatsApp groups that include District Medical Officers.

This revelation from Dr V. Meenakshi, the Director of Health Services, comes amidst the Health Department repeatedly denying rumours of a medicine shortage. The department even claimed to be taking all necessary measures to eliminate a crisis.

"As fever cases are on the rise, the availability of medicines must be ensured. If HMC funds are available, they should be utilised to procure the necessary medicines. Superintendents should be instructed not to speak to the media if contacted; instead, the media be told to refer any inquiries to the DMO. They must not discuss issues like medicine shortages or local purchases with the media—direct them to call the DMO," the Director said in the voice message.

The audio message was deleted later after the issue ignited a debate on social media.