Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan alleges vested interests behind row over food packet distribution at MCH
Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Monday alleged that criticism of him by BJP and CPI(M) leaders over the restriction of free food parcel distribution facilities at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital (MCH) was driven by vested interests linked to private diagnostic laboratories.
Recently, Mr. Muraleedharan announced plans to set up a community kitchen instead of voluntary organizations displaying banners and flags and distributing food packets (potichoru) at MCH; The move drew criticism from CPI(M) and BJP leaders.
Dismissing allegations that the government had banned distribution of food packets in hospitals, Mr. Muraleedharan clarified that the decision was limited to Alappuzha MCH and was aimed at eliminating encroachment on government land affecting the functioning of the institution.
He alleged that Seva Bharati volunteers objected when workers went to do work in the intensive care unit, claiming that the space belonged to them and demanding an alternative location before allowing the work to proceed.
“This is government property. It does not belong to any person or organization. That is why such a decision was taken in Alappuzha,” he told reporters.
Mr Muraleedharan claimed that the dispute had little to do with food distribution and was instead linked to the government’s move to stop referring patients to private laboratories.
He alleged that although laboratory facilities were available at MCH, patients were given prescriptions directing them to two nearby private laboratories as the hospital did not provide the necessary reagents to conduct the tests.
Without naming anyone, he claimed that the laboratories were “earning profits of hundreds of rupees” and that the government’s decision to procure the reagents and ensure the tests were done at the hospital itself had irritated those with vested interests.
“Strict instructions have been given that tests should no longer be sent abroad. We have a laboratory there and the tests must be done there personally,” he said.
Asked whether the private laboratories were linked to any political party, Mr. Muraleedharan refrained from naming anyone but asked them to check who controls the laboratories and the profits they earn.
The Minister alleged that both the BJP and the CPI(M) have adopted the same stance on the issue due to their alleged interests.
“That’s why I said that K. Surendran and Pinarayi Vijayan speak the same language. More facts will come out. That’s why they are attacking us,” he claimed.
Addressing criticism branding him as “annam mudakki” (one who stops food distribution), the Minister said that the protest was not against food distribution but against encroachment on state land.
“There are no restrictions on serving food. But if someone encroaches on land, puts up huge banners and claims that no one can operate there, it will not be allowed,” he said.
Mr Muraleedharan clarified that no decision has been taken to implement similar measures in other government hospitals.
“A complaint was received at Alappuzha and action was taken. If a complaint comes from anywhere else, we will look into it. Since no such complaint has been received, there is no point in discussing other hospitals now,” he said.
The Minister said that the decision was not taken by him personally but by the Alappuzha MCH Hospital Development Society (HDS) during a review meeting attended by the local MLA, MP and Vice President.
He said HDS members, formed during the tenure of the previous LDF government and comprising representatives of different political parties, unanimously supported the decision to set up a community kitchen and remove encroachments from the hospital premises.
On criticism of displaying photographs and banners of political leaders in hospitals, the Minister said naming institutions after former Prime Ministers and national leaders is completely different from displaying banners covering hospital buildings.
Making a comparison, Mr. Muraleedharan recalled that during the Chooralmala landslide tragedy, White Guard volunteers prepared and distributed food to everyone, including journalists, but later they had to leave the area and the food supplies were thrown away. “Where were all these people then?” he asked.
The minister also rejected allegations that he made a U-turn after the issue snowballed into a political debate.
“There was no U-turn. The decision was only about Alappuzha. It was the media that turned it into a state-wide issue. Even then, I had said that any decision regarding other hospitals would be taken only after discussions with the Chief Minister,” he said.
Asked about food distribution under political banners in hospitals in Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Muraleedharan said action would be taken only if there were complaints of encroachment or obstruction in the functioning of the hospital.
Mr. Muraleedharan reiterated that the proposed common kitchen at Alappuzha MCH will be operational soon, while similar facilities in other hospitals will be considered only if necessary.
It was published – 20 July 2026 11:25 IST
