Agartala, June 07: The healthcare system in Tripura faces renewed scrutiny after serious allegations surfaced against Shanicherra Primary Health Center in North Tripura district. A patient’s family has accused a doctor of neglect, unethical behavior and unauthorized charges raising concerns about medical accountability in the district.
According to Gopal Das, a resident of Bagbasa gram panchayat, his critically ill wife Bichitra Malakar was taken to the health center yesterday afternoon. However, the on-duty doctor Biswanath Chakma was reportedly absent prompting a nurse to direct them to the doctor’s quarters. Upon arrival, Das claims they found the doctor conversing with a friend, showing little urgency. “We waited for nearly 15 minutes before he wrote a prescription without even examining my wife,” Das stated.
The situation escalated when the doctor allegedly demanded Rs 500 for consultation, an act that violates government regulations. When Das protested, the doctor reportedly snatched the prescription and attempted to seize his mobile phone to prevent video documentation. “He even called locals to intimidate me,” Das alleged.
Following this incident, Das shifted his wife to North Tripura District Hospital at Dharmanagar. He further alleged that his wife experienced back pain after receiving an injection from the same doctor during a previous visit.
Adding to the concerns, Das and other residents pointed out systemic failures at the health center. “There’s no gynecologist here, so untrained staff conduct deliveries, leading to tragic outcomes,” he said. His mother-in-law Basanti Malakar echoed similar grievances claiming she was also pressured into paying for treatment.
The incident has fueled widespread outrage with locals demanding an impartial investigation and strict action against the accused doctor. They are also urging intervention from the Chief Minister and Health Minister questioning the government’s commitment to healthcare reforms.
