No compromise on pothichoru, no politics inside hospitals; will stop at any cost, says Minister

PATHANAMTHITTA: Health Minister K Muraleedharan has once again objected to the distribution of free food packets (pothichoru) by the youth wing DYFI on hospital premises. He said political activities would not be allowed inside hospitals and asserted that the government would prevent them at any cost.

Speaking to the media in Pathanamthitta, the minister said this is the policy of the UDF government. He clarified that free food distribution in hospitals should be carried out only through community kitchens, adding that the government would soon hold discussions with voluntary organizations. He also stressed that the restriction applies equally to all political organizations, including the Youth Congress and Seva Bharati, not just DYFI.

Muraleedharan had the other day said that banners and party flags should not be displayed while distributing food in hospital premises. He also revealed plans to establish community kitchens for free food distribution in government hospitals, with the project set to be launched first at Alappuzha Medical College.

The issue gained attention after Ambalappuzha MLA G. Sudhakaran criticized the food distribution system at Alappuzha Medical College. In a Facebook post, he said the practice of cooking and distributing food from a temporary shed inside the medical college campus--something not seen at other medical colleges should be discouraged.