Rs 100 crore sanctioned to tackle supply shortages at Kerala Hospitals

Despite these efforts, suppliers remain firm on their stance — refusing to resume deliveries until full payments for pending invoices from February 2024 to March 2025 are credited to their accounts.

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According to TOI, the equipment shortage has led to a crisis in medical colleges, including those in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. Highlighting the situation where surgeries are being disrupted, the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College cardiology department head sent a letter to the hospital superintendent. Meanwhile, Kozhikode Medical College, which is facing a shortage of stents at its cath labs, is purchasing them at a higher price from outside.

The crisis is most acute in major medical colleges, including those in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. In a letter to the hospital superintendent on Tuesday, the head of the cardiology department highlighted the severity of the crisis, warning that surgical procedures could be disrupted. The disruption stems from an outstanding payment of Rs 158 crore owed by 21 government hospitals across the state, leading supply companies to halt equipment distribution from September 1.

Thiruvananthapuram Medical College alone has pending dues amounting to ₹29.56 lakh. While no surgeries have been officially postponed yet, hospital authorities have expressed concern that the situation could deteriorate rapidly if suppliers do not resume services soon.

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