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Kerala Kaumudi Online
Saturday, 15 February 2025 12.09 AM IST

Dues mount, medicine supplies come to halt; Govt hospitals in state experiencing shortage of medicines

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medicines

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Outstanding dues have surged into crores, and pharmaceutical companies have stopped supplies. Government hospitals in the state are now facing a severe crisis. If the situation continues for a few more days, poor patients will be left in dire straits.

Medicine supplies have almost ceased in various government hospitals in Kozhikode, including the Medical College. The situation is similar in Kottayam Medical College. Except for the Medical College, all other government hospitals in Ernakulam district are facing medicine shortages. Kollam is also experiencing a scarcity of medicines. Only Thiruvananthapuram district has not yet entered a critical stage.

At Kozhikode Medical College, the dues to supply companies since April have reached Rs 90 crore. In Kottayam, the outstanding amount is close to Rs 100 crore. Although the health department announced that pending dues in Kozhikode would be cleared, no action has been taken. Plans were made to procure 150 essential medicines through Karunya Pharmacy, but only 50 have been supplied.

Medications and surgical equipment for chemotherapy, heart disease, kidney disease, and dialysis are unavailable. Peritoneal dialysis fluids and catheters needed for dialysis at home are also out of stock. Chemotherapy drugs like Dacarbazine, Filgrastim, Cytarabine, Bevacizumab, and Cyclophosphamide will run out of stock soon.

Surgeries halted at Kottayam Medical College
The government owes Rs 154 crore to Kottayam Medical College. Stocks of most medicines are nearly exhausted, and the supply of surgical instruments has completely stopped. Many departments are borrowing or purchasing equipment from outside to conduct surgeries. Cardiothoracic surgeries are no longer being performed.

Antibiotics and other medicines are out of stock in Ernakulam
Ernakulam Medical College is not facing significant issues, but other hospitals in the district are running out of medicines. There is a shortage of PD fluid for dialysis in Aluva General Hospital, Paravur Taluk Hospital, and Karuvelipady Hospital. Antibiotics, ointments, and eye drops have gone out of stock.

Insulin and dialysis drugs unavailable in Kollam
Insulin mixtard is out of stock at Parippally Government Medical College. Around 100 insulin mixtard vials are needed daily, but only 600 vials are supplied every two weeks. Meropenem, used for severe infections, has not been available for months. Low molecular weight heparin and iron sucrose needed for dialysis are also unavailable. Life-saving drugs like noradrenaline for heart attack patients are out of stock at the pharmacy.

TAGS: MEDICINE SUPPLIES, GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, KERALA
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