Beauty treatment at ‘Oushadhi’s’ expense; Minister against former chairperson

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister K. Muraleedharan informed the Legislative Assembly that a report has been received regarding unauthorised beauty treatments—involving hibiscus buds, chicken eggs, and lemon juice—undergone by former Chairperson Oushadhi (The Pharmaceutical Corporation Kerala Limited), Shobhana George.

The report was submitted by the Principal Secretary of the Health Department. In response to a question from V.P. Sajendran, the Minister said no action has been taken on the matter thus far.

This treatment, utilising eggs and flower buds, took place despite the fact that the Chairperson was not entitled to free treatment, nor did the Ayurvedic Panchakarma hospital offer beauty treatment procedures. According to an internal investigation report, the process consumed kilograms of hibiscus buds and 300 chicken eggs on a daily basis.

It has been found that Oushadhi’s official funds and the services of its doctors were misused for these procedures, which were carried out in a deluxe A/C room at the institution’s Panchakarma hospital. The beauty treatments took place during the tenure of the previous LDF government, while the individual in question served as the Chairperson of Oushadhi.