Agartala, 19th April 2026: In a tragic incident, a young man died after being referred from the Jamthum Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Kamalpur subdivision, allegedly because the ambulance driver was on leave and no alternative arrangement was made. The deceased has been identified as Haren Halam, a resident of the area.
He was admitted to the PHC last night after his condition deteriorated. As his health worsened, doctors referred him to a better medical facility for advanced treatment. However, even though the ambulance was present at the PHC, the driver was reportedly on leave. Due to the absence of a driver, the patient could not be transported in time. Haren Halam died before any alternative arrangement could be made.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage and protests in the area. Local residents have alleged that despite the presence of three doctors at the PHC, they perform duty on a rotation basis—each serving for one week at a time. This practice, according to locals, has severely affected the quality of healthcare services. It has also come to light that complaints regarding this rotational duty system were previously lodged with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Dhalai district. However, no action has been taken so far, leaving the local population frustrated and anxious.
