Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition R. Ashok on February 12, Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government, alleging that the shortage of essential medicines in government hospitals reflects a “bankrupt administration” and a collapsing healthcare system in Karnataka.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Ashok claimed that more than 800 essential medicines — including basic drugs like paracetamol — are unavailable in several government hospitals across the state. “I had raised this issue during the December 2024 Assembly session, stating that over 800 essential medicines were out of stock. At that time, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao claimed that medicines had been procured immediately. But even now, there is no stock available. This shows that the Health Department itself is unwell”, Ashok alleged.
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ಉಗ್ರಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಔಷಧಿ ಸ್ಟಾಕ್ ಇಲ್ಲ
ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಔಷಧಿ ಪೂರೈಕೆ ಇಲ್ಲಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಸಿಎಂ @siddaramaiah ನವರೇ, ಖಾಸಗಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳು ಕೈಗೆಟುಕದೆ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳನ್ನೇ ನಂಬಿ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆಗಾಗಿ ಬರುವ ಬಡ ರೋಗಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಔಷಧಿ ಇಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಚೀಟಿ ಬರೆದುಕೊಟ್ಟು ಹೊರಗಡೆ ಮಾರುಕಟ್ಟೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಖರೀದಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಅಂದರೆ… pic.twitter.com/eWCgRtSqL0
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) February 12, 2026
He further claimed that the government has reached a stage where medicines are being purchased from funds meant for hospital maintenance. “The government has no money to purchase medicines. It has come to a situation where loans are being taken to buy essential drugs. This is a clear sign that the government is financially broke”, he said.
Ashok pointed out that the Health Department has issued orders to finalise tenders only by March, raising concerns about a prolonged shortage. “If tenders are finalised only in March, it means that government hospitals may not have adequate medicines until May or June. What happens to patients during this period? If someone meets with an accident, even bandages may not be available”, he said.
He alleged that in several hospitals, doctors are being forced to write prescriptions asking patients to buy medicines from outside. “During our government’s tenure, we had clearly instructed that doctors should not send patients outside to purchase medicines. Now, people are forced to depend on Jan Aushadhi centres for affordable drugs”, he added.
Ashok also criticised the reported 30 per cent reduction in allocation to the Health Department in the last state budget. “Funds have been diverted to fulfil the five guarantees. As a result, essential services are suffering. In some hospitals, even IV fluids and pain management medicines are unavailable, yet they claim to be running operation theatres”, he alleged.
He accused the government of prioritising departments that allegedly generate commissions while neglecting those directly addressing public welfare. “This is a mirror to the government’s bankruptcy”, he said. Raising another issue, Ashok questioned the foreign tour of MLAs led by the Animal Husbandry Minister. “Earlier, the government had stopped foreign tours citing financial constraints. If such visits are necessary, all parties must be represented in the delegation. On what basis is the minister taking only selected MLAs? Who is funding this trip?” he asked, urging Speaker U.T. Khader to intervene.
He further alleged that the timing of the tour was suspicious. “Budget discussions are underway and MLAs are expected to consult the Chief Minister. Instead, they are going abroad. There is also talk of leadership change in the state. Are they going overseas to take decisions on that?” he questioned. Drawing a contrast, Ashok said, “Government school children are travelling in JCBs and tipper vehicles due to lack of buses, while MLAs are flying in Emirates flights. This is not good governance”.
The BJP leader also accused the government of attempting to shield corruption in the Excise Department and claimed that the party would continue its agitation. He further alleged that during the BJP’s tenure, ministers facing allegations were made to resign and inquiries were conducted. Ashok also criticised the state government over the handling of the recent RCB celebrations, stating that the Congress administration failed to provide adequate security and later tried to shift the blame onto the cricket association.
Concluding his address, Ashok said, “The administration in Karnataka has slipped into a coma-like state. Instead of solving people’s problems, the government is busy managing internal politics”.
