Thiruvananthapuram, July 6 (UNI) Launching a scathing attack against the Kerala Chief Minister over his visit to the US, AICC Working Committee member and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the people of Kerala are unaware of the details of the Chief Minister’s trip and his health condition.
“The Chief Minister has gone to the US for medical treatment without informing anyone. He had earlier sought treatment in the US as well. We are not against him receiving treatment in America. If he needs expert care, we have no objection to that either,” said the former Opposition Leader in the Kerala Assembly.
“But at a time when poor patients in Kerala are not receiving justice from the healthcare sector in any form, criticism is only natural when he chooses to go abroad like this. A solution should have been found for the issues faced by poor people as well,” he added.
“He should have addressed the failures of the Health Minister and the Health Department before leaving. A woman died at Kottayam Medical College after the collapse of a building. At the very least, he should have secured the resignation of Minister Veena George before leaving – that would have made his decision easier to justify. I believed the Chief Minister would obtain her resignation before heading to America” he said.
“This is a department that has committed serious lapses and shown grave negligence. Ordinary people and the poor cannot afford to go to America or the UK for treatment” he added.
“I had hoped the government would pay attention to their problems too. But not only did nothing happen, the CPI(M) state secretary responded to the issue in an extremely negative manner yesterday.”
“A senior doctor working in Kerala’s health sector strongly criticized the department and revealed the helpless condition of the hospitals. Why did that doctor speak out? Because the situation had become unbearable.”
“Poor patients going to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College are unable to get surgery, receive treatment, or even obtain medicines.”
“There is a lack of equipment, and what is available is outdated. For highlighting all this, that doctor was attacked with baseless accusations,” he noted.
“In Kottayam Medical College, two ministers visited the site after the old building collapsed. Instead of taking emergency rescue measures, their response was simply to say that no one was injured.”
“We must remember that a poor woman was taking her last breath under that rubble at the time.”
“Given all this irresponsibility, the Chief Minister should have secured the resignation of the Health Minister before leaving for the US. I repeat, we are not against the Chief Minister seeking expert treatment. But he must not forget that he also has a responsibility to ensure that the poor people of Kerala receive quality healthcare.”
“Considering the current situation in Kerala, I believe Veena George should take responsibility for the failures of the Health Department and resign immediately. If not, the Chief Minister must take action on this issue.”
