CAG Report Sparks Political Row in Himachal: Vipin Parmar Alleges Medicine Shortage in Government Hospitals

A fresh political debate has emerged over the condition of healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh after BJP leader and Sulaha MLA Vipin Singh Parmar alleged that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has exposed serious shortcomings in the state’s public healthcare system. He claimed that prolonged shortages of essential medicines in government hospitals reflected administrative negligence and demanded immediate corrective measures.

In a statement issued on Monday, Parmar referred to the CAG report highlighting extended shortages of life-saving medicines at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Tanda. According to him, medicines required for the treatment of diabetes, high cholesterol and several other serious illnesses remained unavailable for months, affecting patient care and treatment.

The BJP leader further alleged that the issue was not confined to RPGMC Tanda alone but was also affecting district hospitals, civil hospitals and community health centres across Himachal Pradesh. He claimed that patients visiting government hospitals were frequently compelled to purchase medicines from private pharmacies because essential drugs were unavailable in public health institutions.

Parmar said the shortage had placed an additional financial burden on economically weaker families, senior citizens and patients suffering from chronic illnesses who rely heavily on government healthcare services.

Criticising the Congress government, Parmar alleged that the state administration had failed to maintain an adequate supply of medicines while also neglecting the availability of sufficient medical staff and basic healthcare facilities. He stated that shortages of medicines used for treating diabetes, heart disease and asthma were not merely administrative lapses but issues directly impacting public health and patient safety.

He also claimed that patients in several parts of the state continued to face difficulties in accessing medicines, doctors and timely treatment at government hospitals.

Demanding immediate intervention, Parmar urged the state government to launch a special drive to ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential medicines in all public healthcare institutions. He also called for a high-level inquiry into the medicine procurement process and sought strict action against officials found responsible for the alleged lapses.

The allegations have intensified the political discussion around healthcare infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh, with the CAG findings becoming a key point of debate over the functioning of government hospitals and the availability of essential medical services across the state.

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