Health Secretary's report finds medical equipment worth Rs 450 crore lying unused in Kerala's government hospitals

11 October 2026

Medical equipment worth Rs 450 crore, including ventilators, dialysis machines, digital X-ray machines and mammography machines, is lying unused in Kerala's government hospitals, including medical colleges.
The finding is in a report submitted to the government by Health Department Principal Secretary Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph, covering equipment procured over the past 10 years.
The inquiry was ordered by Health Minister K. Muraleedharan after several complaints; the covers of some machines had not even been opened.
Officials cited incomplete hospital buildings and a shortage of staff to operate the machines.
The minister said a detailed investigation would follow and action would be taken.