Has equipment crisis not been resolved? asks opposition in Assembly, as Health Minister cites accounts of money spent

Thiruvananthapuram: The opposition raised concerns over an equipment shortage and lack of funds at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College during the Kerala Assembly session. They referred to statements by Dr. Haris, head of the Urology Department, who said they were forced to collect money from ordinary patients to buy necessary surgical equipment.

Reports of shortages related to heart surgery equipment and X-ray films were also highlighted. The opposition questioned the government on steps taken to ensure essential treatment facilities for common patients.

Health Minister Veena George responded by emphasising a significant increase in government spending on free treatment and medical equipment compared to previous administrations. She pointed out that the number of people relying on government hospitals has surged, not due to population growth, but because of increased public trust.

Presenting comparative figures, the minister said the UDF government (2011–2016) spent ₹15.64 crore on equipment for Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, while the first Pinarayi Vijayan government spent ₹41.84 crore. In the current term, equipment worth ₹80.66 crore has been purchased, including ₹43 crore from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Modern equipment like SPECT scans has also been introduced.

Regarding the Urology Department, equipment worth ₹26.90 lakh was purchased between 2011 and 2016, whereas from 2018 to 2024, equipment worth over ₹2.5 crore has been procured.

The minister further stated that outpatient registrations in government hospitals have risen from 8 crore in 2015–16 to 13 crore now, attributing this increase to growing public confidence in the government healthcare system.

Acknowledging systemic challenges, the minister explained that government procurement procedures are more complex than those in the private sector, causing delays. She admitted that the existing spending limit of ₹1 lakh for hospital superintendents to purchase equipment is insufficient and called for timely policy revisions to address this.

On healthcare insurance, the minister noted that ₹114 crore was allocated in 2015–16 during the UDF government, while ₹1498.5 crore has been budgeted for 2024–25 under the current administration. She added that ₹7408 crore has been spent on free treatment over the past four years.

Citing National Statistical Survey Office (NSSO) data, Minister Veena George said out-of-pocket healthcare expenses in Kerala have significantly decreased, from ₹17,054 in rural areas and ₹23,123 in urban areas in 2016, to ₹10,929 and ₹13,140 respectively, in 2024.

Highlighting advanced healthcare services in government hospitals, the minister stated that complex surgeries like liver, heart, and bone marrow transplants are being performed successfully. She underscored that liver transplants, which cost ₹40–45 lakh in private hospitals, are now provided free in government institutions, easing the financial burden on patients.

Responding to opposition MLA I.C. Balakrishnan’s allegation that many hospitals deny treatment under the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP) due to unpaid dues amounting to ₹1500 crore. She added that ₹92 crore was sanctioned the previous day and that the government is actively processing the remaining payments.