The Communist government often boasts about being the best provider of medical services through its state-run hospitals. Yet, when their own leaders fall ill, they either opt for treatment at private hospitals or fly to America in search of better healthcare.
This stark contrast between their claims and actions exposes the true state of the government’s healthcare machinery.
A recent embarrassment underscored this hypocrisy when Minister Saji Cherian, CPM leader and Minister for Fisheries, Culture and Youth Affairs, shared his ordeal during a press conference in Pathanamthitta. Speaking on June 7, he revealed that he was on the brink of death while undergoing treatment at a government hospital and that his life was saved only after being shifted to a private hospital. His candid admission has caused considerable confusion within the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).
His remark is particularly significant at a time when the LDF regime is under fire following the tragic death of Bindu, a mother of two, in a building collapse at the Government Medical College, Kottayam, on July 1. Three others were injured in the incident.
Since day one, the BJP and the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha have been staging protests demanding the resignation of Health Minister Veena George. They are also demanding Rs 25 lakh as compensation for Bindu’s family and a government job for her son.
Across Kerala, the public has begun to mock the claims repeatedly made by LDF leaders and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that the state ranks number one in healthcare. Ironically, they maintain that Kerala leads the country in all sectors, and assert that its healthcare system is on par with European standards.
It has not gone unnoticed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, V. N. Vasavan — the CPM minister from Kottayam — and Health Minister Veena George were present at the hospital after the tragedy, yet none of them initially visited the deceased’s family to offer condolences. Vasavan finally visited Bindu’s house after the cremation and handed over Rs 50,000 as immediate assistance to the family. Vasavan represents the Kottayam district and is the minister in charge of it.
Veena George visited Bindu’s home only on June 3 afternoon. People in the area have expressed their anger at the apparent apathy shown by the ministers in visiting the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, CM Pinarayi Vijayan flew to the United States for medical treatment on July 5. Minister Saji Cherian’s comments must be seen in the context of these developments involving the chief minister and other ministers.
Saji Cherian shared his personal experience with the government medical college as follows:
“Ministers and ordinary people alike go to private hospitals for treatment. They go where good treatment is available. How many ministers actually go to government medical colleges? I went to a medical college when I suffered from dengue. When the possibility of death arose, I was referred to Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi. I was unconscious for 14 days at Amrita. I survived because of the treatment I received there. Many private hospitals are equipped with advanced technology — such facilities are not available in government medical colleges. People should go to hospitals where better treatment is provided.”
Saji Cherian made these remarks while addressing the media. His comments have landed the government in hot water, as he essentially endorsed the widespread belief that private hospitals are the better option. While the LDF, CPM, and the state government continue to claim that Kerala’s healthcare system is robust, foolproof, and comparable to European standards, Cherian’s statement directly contradicts that narrative.
In effect, his remarks amount to a veiled criticism of the chief minister himself, who has sought medical treatment abroad.
