Chief Minister does not trust government hospitals, flying to U.S. for treatment: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday took a dig at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by claiming that even he does not trust Kerala’s government hospitals as he is going to the U.S. for his own treatment.

Mr. Vijayan flew to the U.S. on Saturday for follow-up medical check-ups as part of his ongoing treatment.

He is expected to be away for around 10 days, his office had said on Friday, without providing further details.

Mr. Vijayan had previously visited the U.S. for medical treatment in 2022.

Taking a dig at the Chief Minister’s U.S. trip, Mr. Chandrasekhar, in a Facebook post, said, “…the same CM who claims Kerala is number one in healthcare used public funds to fly to America for his own treatment. Even Pinarayi Vijayan doesn’t trust Kerala’s government hospitals!” The BJP leader alleged that the Left government’s “much-hyped” Kerala healthcare model was being exposed as a “hollow facade.”

“Medicine shortages, medical negligence, staff scarcity, and crumbling infrastructure have become daily realities. Even doctors are speaking out, revealing the system’s deep failures,” he contended.

He also alleged that the State government makes “grand healthcare announcements” and then “slashes” funds during implementation.

Mr. Chandrasekhar also accused the Left government of “bleeding Kerala’s healthcare sector dry”.

Neither the Chief Minister nor the State government have yet reacted to the BJP leader’s allegations.