CPI(M) turns the heat on Keralam govt. over SMA drug controversy

Accusing the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government of following the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s corporate Hindutva policies by the book, Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State secretary M.V. Govindan has said that the government’s agenda of ushering in privatisation is being followed even in the health sector.

Speaking at a press conference here on Friday after the CPI(M) State committee meeting, Mr. Govindan said that Health Minister K. Muraleedharan had failed to provide convincing answers to the parents of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)-afflicted children on why they were administered with drug meant for “clinical trials”.

Answers sought

He raised six pointed queries to the Health Minister, including on how the drugs meant for clinical trials ended up in the hospital. “If the drugs are as harmless as the Minister claims, why were they withdrawn? Were the parents of these children informed that bioequivalence studies were not conducted? Had the Medical Services Corporation conducted quality checks? Why were tender clauses relaxed for one particular company? In case of side effects in children, who will be responsible? The CPI(M) has a long history of supporting generic medicines, but the Health Minister has to provide convincing answers,” said Mr. Govindan.

He also rubbished Mr.Muraleedharan’s statement that the decisions regarding the drugs were taken during the previous LDF government’s term.

KIIFB row

Mr. Govindan accused the UDF government of attempting to scuttle the State’s development by dismantling the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).

“Development works worth ₹1 lakh crore have been taken up under KIIFB. In the health sector, an amount of ₹6,670 crore was spent, while projects worth over ₹25,000 crore was taken up under the PWD. The national highway would not have become a reality if ₹5,580 crore was spent from KIIFB. As many as 579 school buildings were constructed. The hill and coastal highways were also constructed through this. The Central agencies have from the beginning tried to destroy KIIFB to scuttle Keralam’s development. Now, the UDF is implementing that aim,” he alleged.