By TC News Desk
Agartala, 16th September 2025: Former MLA Tapas Dey has written to the Tripura Health Secretary urging the government to reconsider the proposed location of a new GBP Hospital outlet near the Cancer Hospital, raising concerns over patient safety and long-term health risks.
In his letter, Dey lauded the government’s commitment to healthcare development and acknowledged the substantial investment of ₹500 crore from the Government of India along with ₹40 crore from ONGC. However, he cautioned that placing the new facility adjacent to the Cancer Hospital could lead to serious issues, given the therapeutic radiation modalities such as Linear Accelerators (LINACs) used for cancer treatment.
Dey pointed out that patients, healthcare staff, and visitors at the new GBP Hospital unit could face inadvertent exposure to stray radiation if shielding at the Cancer Hospital were ever compromised, a situation particularly dangerous for children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immunity. He further warned that the close vicinity to high-energy radiation sources demanded stringent environmental and safety measures, as even low-dose exposure over time could have long-term consequences.
The former MLA also expressed concern that radiation therapy sessions might interfere with sensitive medical equipment and procedures at the new facility, potentially affecting its efficiency and quality of care. Additionally, he noted that public knowledge of the hospital’s proximity to radiotherapy units might generate anxiety among patients and their families, discouraging them from seeking treatment there.
Dey urged the Health Department to explore alternative sites for the GBP Hospital outlet, arguing that a safer and more suitable location, distanced adequately from radiation sources, would ensure both safety and public confidence while maximizing the project’s intended benefits. He concluded by expressing confidence that, under the leadership of the state government, healthcare infrastructure in Tripura would continue to progress in a way that is both safe and beneficial for all.
