Crisis in hospitals, Kerala govt failed to resolve medicine shortage: Satheesan
"Reports from various hospitals and medical colleges indicate that there is an acute shortage of medicines in all medical colleges and govt hospitals. After surgery, patients have to bring their own thread for stitching. A person who fell from a building paid Rs 88,000 for treatment," Satheeshan said.
"The health minister said yesterday that govt hospitals cannot procure supplies as quickly as private hospitals.
The issue has been going on for two or three years. Opposition raised the issue continuously, but govt failed to take any proper steps due to financial crisis. Instead of resolving it, justifications and PR management programmes are going on," he alleged.
"UDF will appoint a health commission, including public health experts, to study the collapse of the health sector in state. As part of this, a health conclave will be organised," he said.
Demands minister's apology
Satheeshan said fisheries minister Saji Cherian should apologise and retract his statement calling fishermen, who protested against the sea erosion issue in Chellanam with black flags, goons. "The people in the area protested when govt failed to protect families residing in the Kammaal region. Instead of criticising them, govt should be ready to resolve the issue," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
SP raises concern over health infra and budget spending
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party MLCs on Wednesday raised concerns about the quality of health services in the state, saying that a state like UP, where people from even other states were coming for treatment, was woefully short of infrastructure. MLC Guddu Jamali praised the govt for its health budget but pointed out that only 68% of last year's budget of Rs 43,500 crore was spent, highlighting the massive scope to improve spending in the sector. "A Rs 43,500 crore health budget is reasonable, but only 68% of it was spent. Health is a basic need, and our approach to it cannot be so casual. Our doctors are excellent, but our health infrastructure is not how it should be for a country with a population this large," he said. MLC Jasmir Ansari spoke about financial assistance to the poor, saying that much of their need could not be met. In response, the govt said the facilities now are much better than they were before 2017, under the SP govt. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Follow SOP for disability cards: HC to state
Kolkata: Calcutta HC on Wednesday directed the state to sensitise govt hospital medical boards on the SOP for issuing Unique Disability ID Cards. The SOP was issued on June 13, '24. A division bench of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee Das passed the directive after being told NRS had mistakenly sent the data of disabled patient from Kidderpore to Birbhum. HC directed the allotment of Rs 5,000/month per person to 500 muscular dystrophy patients. The HC said five ICU beds at Police Hospital be reserved and rare disease clinics kept open twice a week. tnn You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
In a first for India, Goa to negotiate lower prices for life saving therapies
Panaji: In a move aimed at giving people greater access to high-cost medical treatment for cancer and rare diseases, state govt has rolled out an innovative pricing policy for life-saving therapies. Under the policy, govt will procure drugs, medical equipment, and diagnostics from pharmaceutical companies at a lower negotiated price from the listed price, thus enabling budget allocation to cater to more patients or support a longer duration of therapies. Health minister Vishwajit Rane said on Wednesday that Goa govt is the first in the country to adopt this policy framework, which enables confidential pricing agreements between govt and pharmaceutical innovators. The rollout is likely to begin with lung cancer treatment. Innovative therapies for diseases like cancer, rare genetic disorders, and autoimmune conditions can cost upwards of Rs 50 lakh per year, making them difficult for patients, he said. 'Goa's adoption of this pricing policy is a vital and timely step to advance health equity in the state. This value-based approach to pricing will improve access for patients and marks a new era focusing on helping more patients,' said Rane. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo This new innovation will prove beneficial to Goa, which is in the upper quartile of the list of highest cancer incidence rates in the country. The state also sees around 1,500 new cancer patients every year, which is set to increase by 5% each year, with the most common cancer being breast cancer, accounting for more than 300 annual cases, followed by oral cavity cancer, which accounts for 20-25% of all cancers in Goa. The healthcare system needs to be better equipped to handle the growing burden of cancers and rare disease cases, he said. The policy is aimed at meeting the specialised drug/equipment requirements of Goa at a reduced cost, and its scope is restricted to proprietary drugs/equipment currently being purchased by GMC and the directorate of health services through the regular tendering process. However, if any new patented drug/equipment is required to be added to the list of drugs/equipment already approved, then based on the recommendation of the committee, the public health department will take approval from the finance department before adding such new drugs and equipment to the list of items covered under the policy. Under the policy, a committee chaired by the additional/joint secretary of health and comprising the GMC dean, director of health services, and pharmacy heads and in-charges of DHS and GMA will be constituted to recommend appropriate pricing under this policy for approval by govt. The committee will also be empowered to negotiate with companies to discover the best rate for the patented drugs/equipment after signing agreements. The list of drugs/equipment covered under the policy shall then be notified with the approval of the finance department. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
