Agartala, May 3: The Tripura unit of the Opposition Congress party staged a protest rally in Agartala on Saturday, expressing deep concern over the alleged decline in healthcare services at the state’s main referral hospital, GBP and Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC).
The rally, led by the Sadar District Congress, highlighted the worsening condition of public health services under Chief Minister Manik Saha, who also holds the Health portfolio.
Starting from the Circuit House area, the rally moved towards the Directorate of Health at Gurkhabosti area, raising slogans against the state government. However, a heavy deployment of state and central paramilitary forces halted the protest near Aranya Bhavan, preventing further progression.
Senior Congress leader Tanmoy Roy, addressing the media, criticized the Chief Minister for failing to bring any notable improvement to the healthcare sector despite being a doctor himself.
“The people of the state had high hopes when Dr. Manik Saha took charge of the Health department, but those hopes have been shattered,” said Roy.
He alleged that the GBP hospital’s indoor and outdoor services are in a deplorable state, with hundreds of poor patients left waiting for hours without receiving proper medical attention. Many are forced to lie in the corridors due to lack of space and neglect by hospital authorities, he claimed.
He further stated that while the Health department frequently boasts about development, the reality is starkly different.
“Even the district hospitals are facing acute shortages, and patients are being deprived of basic services,” Roy said, announcing that the Congress would submit a memorandum to the Director of Health and continue its agitation until healthcare conditions improve.
The protestors also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Manik Saha from the Health portfolio, holding him accountable for the deteriorating situation.
It may be noted that just over a week ago, a Minister from the BJP-led government and an MLA from alliance partner TIPRA Motha visited GBP Hospital and AGMC, following which they publicly expressed serious concerns over the poor state of healthcare services in the facility. In response to their observations, the Health Department has announced an inquiry into the matter.
