The Kerala Health Department has revealed to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) that a crucial program designed to deliver life-saving medication to hemophilia patients at their homes is stalled, awaiting formal government approval. This delay leaves patients, particularly those in remote areas, at significant risk during medical emergencies.
Commission Probe Reveals Systemic Hurdles
This information came to light in a report submitted by the Kollam District Medical Officer following instructions from SHRC member V Geetha. The report explicitly stated that government approval was necessary to initiate the distribution of these critical drugs directly to patients' residences. The submission was made in response to a complaint filed by Prasannan, a resident of Karunagappally.
Prasannan's complaint highlighted a dire situation for the hemophilia community in Kollam district. He pointed out that there are over 120 registered hemophilia patients in the district, with a concentration of 34 patients in Karunagappally taluk alone. The complainant alleged that medication was unavailable for a period exceeding 45 days and stressed that depending on taluk hospitals was ineffective during urgent crises.
Accessibility Crisis in Hilly Regions
The health department's report acknowledged a severe gap in accessibility. It confirmed that patients in the hilly regions of Kollam district cannot access medication during emergencies. Individuals from areas like Kadakkal, Anchal, and Kulathupuzha are forced to travel all the way to the Kollam District Hospital to obtain their vital drugs, a journey that can be dangerous and time-consuming when bleeding episodes occur.
Currently, the medication is stocked at several government facilities, including:
- Kollam District Hospital
- Government Victoria Hospital
- Medical College Hospital
- Taluk hospitals in Karunagappally, Kottarakkara, and Punalur
- Kadakkal Hospital
Unfulfilled Promises and Patient Plea
The complaint specifically urged the SHRC to direct the health department to implement an announcement made earlier by the Health Minister. The proposed scheme promised that for every one dose administered at a hospital, two doses would be provided to the patient for home use. This "1:2" home delivery model is seen as a lifeline for patients, allowing them to manage sudden bleeding episodes without the delay and trauma of traveling to a hospital.
The core issue remains the absence of a sanctioned protocol and budget for this home distribution program. Without the formal green light from the state government, the health department's hands are tied, leaving a vulnerable population in a state of anxiety and peril. The SHRC's intervention has now brought this critical administrative bottleneck into the public domain, putting pressure on authorities to expedite the approval process and fulfill the promised care for hemophilia patients.
