There is a misconception in the society that the word development merely means having many flyovers, overbridges, metro and speed trains. Politicians have played a huge role in spreading this misconception. This is not the only thing that comes under development. However, some are trying to project that development merely means metro, flyovers and overbridges. These people do so to distract the people from many real facts. To know whether a state or a nation is on the path of development, one should visit the government hospitals there. The care and vigilance shown by the government in the healthcare of a citizen should be considered as the real measure of development. Most of the financially sound people seek treatment at private hospitals by giving large amounts as fees. Therefore, the inadequacies and shortcomings of treatment in government hospitals do not concern that section. Those with more money and power will seek treatment abroad. So it is not an issue affecting the higher echelons of power either.

It is the poor people who have to suffer the hardships of the government hospital when there is no doctor or medicine. The main story we published yesterday was about a subject that deeply touches the common man who cannot be distinguished as backwards or forward. The report by our correspondent KS Aravind pointed out the fact that pharmacies are lying empty for days due to the shortage of medicines in the government hospitals. The doctors are advising the poor who come to the hospital to go to the outdoor medical store to buy medicine. Hospitals with IC units are now buying essential medicines by taking money from the daily expenditure. The report also pointed out that the reason for this crisis was that the Medical Services Corporation, the tender supplier for the purchase of medicines, delayed the process by months. The common man need not know about the medical corporation and the complications and hurdles in their tender process. It is the responsibility of those who lead the corporation and those who control them to ensure the timely procurement of medicines. Hospitals don't even have IV paracetamol in stock to administer the drip. It's been days since the antibiotic injections and pills ran out. Then why is the government taking care of the Medical Services Corporation which is not capable of delivering any of this on time? The health department and the minister should take the necessary steps to get rid of the incompetent people sitting on top as soon as possible.

Both the ruling party and the opposition often waste the valuable time of the legislature in discussing arguments, counter-arguments and rumours on issues that are of no direct benefit to the people. It is commendable that Opposition Leader VD Satheesan raised the issue of acute drug shortage in the Assembly. He demanded an inquiry into the situation that led to the shortage of medicine.

The government should initiate a probe and take action against those who are found to have failed in their responsibility. The image of the government will be tarnished in the future if such people continue in service. Minister Veena George replied that the increase in the use of medicines in the Covid period led to the shortage of medicines. The minister informed the assembly that the health department will take the necessary steps to speed up the tender process. Let us hope that this will lead to a solution to the problem. The government should also shift to the view that not only constructing bridges but also protecting the health of poor people is the main measure of the state's progress.