KANNUR: The Central Health Department has found a fraud that Rs 56 crore worth of medicines was distributed to 1099 haemophilia patients in the state instead of the Rs 20 crore required for a year.

Vaccines were distributed free of charge from government hospitals to homes. This is blocked. Instead, they are advised to go to the hospital and get vaccinated.

The new method is to give the vaccine at home to the patients in case of bleeding. In Kerala, most patients and their families are trained in vaccination. The government had also given them the medicine they needed. Crores of rupees were laundered under the name of such drugs.

Instead of adopting an effective way to prevent such misuse, the Health dept is denying treatment facilities and benefits to haemophilia patients. The health department should investigate and find out where such drugs were sold. Karim Karassery, general secretary of the Kerala Blood Patients' Protection Council, said he would lodge a complaint with the Union Health Minister and the Chief Minister seeking action against those involved.