'Ministers seeking treatment at private hospitals is nothing new'; minister Saji Cherian makes controversial statement

PATHANAMTHITTA: As criticism mounts against Health Minister Veena George over the recent accident involving the collapse of an old building at Kottayam Medical College, Minister Saji Cherian has made a controversial statement regarding government hospitals. Speaking to the media in Pathanamthitta, Saji Cherian said there is nothing unusual about ministers seeking treatment at private hospitals.

He added that he himself had opted for private hospital care when his health started deteriorating while undergoing treatment at a government hospital, and that is what helped save his life.

"Congress and the BJP are now lying on the same bed. The Left knows how to defend Veena George. What mistake has Veena George made? Kerala's health sector has grown under her leadership. Did the Union Aviation Minister resign after the Ahmedabad plane crash? Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala recently commented that Kerala's health sector is on a ventilator. Who is he trying to please with such a comment?" he asked.

"Government hospitals are the lifeline of the poor. The protests against Veena George are part of a conspiracy to promote private corporate hospitals. CPM will protect both Veena George and the public health sector. The ongoing protests are all theatrics with an eye on elections. The opposition is frustrated. It's madness stemming from their inability to gain power. The UDF is terrified by the possibility of the LDF coming into power for the third consecutive term. That's why their leaders are assigning each other titles like captain, major, and jawan," he added.