Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s public healthcare system is confronting a serious crisis in cardiac care as two major medical colleges in the state have been forced to suspend heart surgeries due to a shortage of essential equipment. The disruption has left patients and their families anxious, with critical procedures delayed indefinitely amid mounting uncertainty.

The shortage stems from unsettled dues to medical equipment suppliers, who have warned that they will halt all deliveries unless pending payments are cleared. The suppliers have demanded a minimum payment of ₹10 crore to resume supply of crucial heart surgery apparatus. If payments are not made by the set deadline, they have threatened to retrieve existing equipment, which could further cripple cardiac services.

Statewide, gove

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