Muraleedharan Dismissed Claims of Medicine Shortages, Stating No Such Complaints Had Been Received and That Supplies Were Sufficient

Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Monday accused the Opposition of politicizing the ongoing flood crisis, rejecting allegations of inadequate relief measures and medicine shortages. Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, he said the Health Department was actively working to prevent disease outbreaks in relief camps and affected areas. Muraleedharan dismissed claims of medicine shortages, stating no such complaints had been received and that supplies were sufficient.

He also noted that pending dues to pharmaceutical companies had been largely cleared. Addressing concerns about the Karunya scheme, he said the issue was limited to one pharmacy, with medicines expected by Tuesday. Responding to criticism over Chief Minister V D Satheesan attending a lunch during the floods, Muraleedharan called it an unnecessary controversy, saying having lunch is normal and the Opposition lacked real issues to criticize.

He compared the situation to the 2018 floods, when the then-Opposition did not question where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ate. He also defended the CM's helicopter use, saying it was for official purposes and that visiting a critically ill father-in-law during an official trip was basic courtesy. Muraleedharan reiterated the government's focus on disaster management and public health, urging parties not to exploit the situation for political gain.

"There are medicines. No shortage of medicine has been reported anywhere in the camps. Medicines have been delivered wherever required and there is enough stock of the medicines currently needed,"