Rs 158 crore dues: Stent Supply to Kerala Govt Hospitals Halted

Thiruvananthapuram: Angioplasty procedures at 21 government hospitals in Kerala are on the brink of suspension, as the Chamber of Distributors of Medical Implants and Disposables (CDMID) has stopped supplying stents over unpaid dues totalling ₹158 crore. The Distributors representing suppliers across the state said it had reached a breaking point after nearly 1 and a half years of non-payment by the government. In a letter dated August 29 to the state government and hospital superintendents, CDMID said, “Payments totalling Rs 158.7 crore are pending from government hospitals and medical colleges in Kerala. All distributors are in dire straits and request early intervention by the state government”, reports PTI. Also Read: Doctor, Pharmacist transferred amid caste abuse probe at Kakkanad Jail Speaking to TOI, Chamber Secretary P K Nidheesh said the finance and health ministers conducted a discussion with the distributors on Aug 1 and promised a partial payment before the end of the month. "We were assured that we would receive some payment in Aug 2025, but we have not received anything from any government hospital or medical college hospital. We have reached a stage where we can't pay for more stocks, and all distributors across Kerala are running out of stock of guide wires, guide catheters, PTCA balloons, and coronary stents." The Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, which performs the highest number of angioplasty procedures in the state, has arrears of ₹34.90 crore—the highest among all institutions. The Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital follows with ₹29.56 crore in dues, while Kottayam Medical College owes ₹21.74 crore. Other major defaulters include Pariyaram Medical College Hospital with Rs 13.96 crore, Ernakulam General Hospital with Rs 13.74 crore, and Alappuzha Medical College Hospital with Rs 12.24 crore. The principal of Kozhikode Medical College has already issued an internal alert to the government, stating they are unable to perform angioplasty procedures due to the scarcity of coronary hardware. Nidheesh said they were compelled to stop replenishing consignment stock at all government centres starting September 1. He added that fulfilling purchase orders for accessories would also be extremely difficult, as available stock is nearly depleted. Currently, 40 distributors across the state supply surgical implants for angioplasty procedures to government hospitals, sourcing them by making advance payments to manufacturers. The remaining stock in hospitals is expected to run out within a week.