Agartala, 1st August 2026: In an extraordinary display of public support for a doctor, patients undergoing treatment at the Fatikroy Primary Health Centre in Unakoti district on Saturday walked out of the facility with IV drips still attached to their bodies to protest the proposed transfer of Dr. Mrinmoy Chakma.
The patients, accompanied by local residents, gathered on the Kumarghat-Fatikroy road and blocked traffic, demanding that Dr. Chakma be retained at the health centre. Images of patients participating in the protest while still connected to IV drips quickly drew widespread attention.
According to local residents, Fatikroy PHC has been facing a shortage of doctors for a long time. The health centre, which earlier had three doctors, currently has only two. Amid the shortage, the Health Department recently ordered Dr. Mrinmoy Chakma’s transfer to Kumarghat Hospital and decided to post Dr. Rajarshi Das at Fatikroy PHC.
The decision triggered strong resentment among residents, who said Dr. Chakma has earned the trust of the local community through his humane approach, dedication and commitment to patients. For many residents, he is not merely a doctor but a dependable figure in times of illness.
Several patients said they felt compelled to join the protest despite being unwell because they did not want to lose a doctor who had stood by them during difficult times. “It was our responsibility to raise our voice for the doctor who has always stood beside us,” protesters reportedly said.
The road blockade continued for some time, disrupting traffic along the important Kumarghat-Fatikroy route. Police reached the spot after receiving information about the agitation.
Later, Sub-Divisional Health Officer Dr. Sucharit Chakma held discussions with the protesters. He informed them that, following consultations with higher authorities, verbal instructions had been received to temporarily halt the transfer process of Dr. Mrinmoy Chakma.
The protesters were assured that Dr. Chakma would continue serving at Fatikroy PHC until further orders. Following the assurance, the blockade was withdrawn and traffic movement gradually returned to normal.
The incident, however, has brought renewed attention to the challenges confronting rural healthcare in Tripura. Residents alleged that shortage of doctors, frequent transfers and irregular ambulance services have continued to affect healthcare delivery in remote areas.
The protest has therefore raised a broader question beyond the fate of one doctor: how long will rural communities have to struggle for dependable and accessible healthcare?
