By TC News Desk
Agartala, 16th October 2025: A wave of public concern has erupted in Jalai village under Gournagar block after expired medicines were allegedly distributed from the Jalai Sub-Health Centre, located in Ward 4 of the Jalai Gram Panchayat. The incident has cast a shadow over the state health department’s credibility and prompted demands for accountability.
Local residents reported falling ill after consuming expired tablets, including blood pressure medication, calcium supplements, and paracetamol. Among the affected was 95-year-old Bina Mahishya Das, whose son, Sentu Mahishya Das, claimed she became seriously ill after taking pressure tablets obtained from the centre. Upon checking the packaging, he discovered the medicines were past their expiry date. Other villagers followed suit and found similar issues with their supplies.
Angered by the recovery, villagers confronted staff at the Jalai Sub-Health Centre. Eyewitnesses alleged that the Community Health Officer attempted to obscure expiry dates on the tablets before continuing distribution, further fueling public outrage.
Despite initial attempts to suppress the incident, local journalists brought the matter to light. Following media reports, Dr. Debashish Debbarma, Medical Officer at Kanika Memorial Primary Health Centre, dispatched a three-member investigation team to Jalai. Led by Dr. Saptarshi Chakraborty, the team confirmed the presence of expired medicines and hemoglobin test kits at the facility.
Dr. Chakraborty told reporters that the investigation substantiated claims of expired drugs and diagnostic kits being used. Villagers also voiced their grievances directly to the team, highlighting the risks posed to public health.
Further allegations emerged that expired hemoglobin kits were used for testing patients, raising serious safety concerns.
Some locals have accused rogue medical officers of negligence, suggesting the incident not only endangered lives but also tarnished the image of the state government led by Chief Minister and Health Minister Manik Saha. Accusations of a deliberate attempt to undermine the administration’s reputation have surfaced.
Residents are now demanding exemplary action against the accused Community Health Officer and calling for systemic reforms to prevent such lapses in the future.
