More funds for free generic medicines in Kerala

The New Year has brought some cheer to the health sector with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy of the south Indian state of Kerala announcing that more funds would be sanctioned for free supply of generic medicines in the coming financial year.

The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating the referral system at the Medical College Hospital here on Tuesday, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

Chandy said that the move to hike the allotments for generic medicines came from various sources including that of state Health Minister V S Sivakumar.

"No one should be denied treatment because of shortage of funds. We should draft laws to make health a right of the citizen," said Chandy.

Sivakumar said that the Medical College Hospital (MCH) here had been made a referral hospital after taking all necessary steps.