Thrissur: Just days after Kerala Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan slammed the Health Department for supplying expired medicines to government hospitals, Congress leader Anil Akkara accused the Thrissur Government Medical College of massive corruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Akkara alleged that the Employees Cooperative Society and Hospital Development Society at the Medical College embezzled Rs 8.19 crores during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, 3700 deaths were reported in the Thrissur Medical College. The hospital received 2000 body bags (also known as a cadaver pouch) for free. The remaining 1000 body bags, priced at Rs 409 per piece, were bought by calling for a tender. However, the Employees Cooperative Society siphoned off Rs 31 lakh by producing a fake cash receipt," Akkara said.  He added that a complaint was filed with the District Collector. 

"Kudumbashree was paid Rs 1.32 crores under the pretext of food delivery. However, it is unknown from which Kudumbashree unit the food was purchased. The operators of the Kudumbashree unit working in the hospital sought my assistance in waving off rent during COVID-19 period when they were not operating. It is unknown to whom the involved parties issued the order instead of the unit in Medical College,"  he stated. 

Akkara also alleged corruption worth crores in the purchase of several items at the hospital, including medicines and oxygen concentrators. He argued that the allegations should be probed by the Union Health Ministry because the facility used funds from the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).