Agartala, 26th September 2026 : Is the state’s premier referral hospital, GBP Hospital, gradually losing the confidence of citizens? An incident involving a critically ill patient on Saturday has once again raised questions over the functioning of emergency healthcare services at the hospital.
An ambulance carrying a young man battling for his life reportedly reached the entrance of the emergency department at GBP Hospital. However, it has been alleged that the patient remained inside the ambulance for nearly half an hour after reaching the hospital, as there was no immediate assistance to shift him into the emergency department.
According to the ambulance driver and eyewitnesses, the necessary promptness to bring the patient out of the vehicle and take him inside the emergency department was reportedly absent. Eventually, with the assistance of private security personnel, the patient was taken out of the ambulance and shifted to the hospital.
The incident has once again raised questions over the ground realities of healthcare services in the state.
According to information available, Dibyendu Chowdhury, a resident of the Jirania area, allegedly attempted suicide by hanging himself at his residence, according to his family. He was initially taken to Jirania Hospital in a critical condition. As his condition deteriorated, doctors referred him to GBP Hospital.
He was subsequently brought to the emergency department of GBP Hospital by ambulance. However, it has been alleged that even after reaching the hospital, the patient did not receive the necessary assistance for a considerable period to transfer him from the ambulance to the emergency department.
The ambulance driver claimed that the matter was repeatedly brought to the attention of the doctor on duty in the emergency department. Although it was reportedly said that staff would be sent immediately to assist, no one allegedly came forward for a considerable period. Finally, security personnel helped remove the patient from the ambulance and take him inside the emergency department.
If a critically ill patient faces such a situation immediately after reaching the hospital, questions are bound to arise over the effectiveness of emergency services.
This is not the only complaint concerning services at GBP Hospital. Patients and their relatives have raised various allegations from time to time — including claims that doctors or healthcare workers did not pay adequate attention to patients, dissatisfaction over nursing services, and allegations that necessary staff were unavailable during emergencies.
The recurrence of such complaints at an important institution like GBP Hospital has naturally become a matter of concern.
Complaints have also been raised regarding the hospital’s infrastructure and support services. Patients and their relatives have reportedly faced difficulties in obtaining wheelchairs or stretchers to move critically ill patients from one department to another. There have also been allegations that, on some occasions, family members have had to carry patients themselves, either on their shoulders or in their arms.
The continuation of such complaints has raised questions about hospital management and the availability of basic support services.
At the same time, the state government has repeatedly highlighted improvements in healthcare services, modern infrastructure and better medical facilities for citizens. Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has also visited hospitals on several occasions to review the healthcare situation and has spoken about improving the state’s health system.
However, if the experiences of patients and their relatives in hospital corridors and emergency departments repeatedly conflict with such claims, questions naturally arise over how much has actually changed on the ground following official inspections and announcements.
There have also been several administrative and political changes in the leadership of the Health Department over the past few years. However, the expectations of ordinary people remain basic: timely treatment during emergencies, adequate staff, stretchers, wheelchairs and prompt medical assistance.
If patients and their families continue to face difficulties even in accessing these basic services, questions will inevitably remain over the effectiveness of infrastructure development running into crores of rupees.
For the people of Tripura, GBP Hospital is more than just a hospital — it is often considered a last resort. People from remote parts of the state travel to the hospital with critically ill patients in the hope of receiving advanced treatment.
Therefore, the allegation that a critically ill patient remained inside an ambulance for nearly half an hour outside the emergency department cannot simply be viewed as an isolated hospital-related complaint. It raises broader questions about the functioning of the emergency healthcare system.
However, the hospital authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the incident. The exact reason for the alleged delay, the role of the concerned staff and why the patient had to remain inside the ambulance for such a long period will become clear only after an inquiry and an official response from the authorities.
The key question now is whether the gap between the claims of healthcare improvement and the actual experience of patients is widening.
If the claims of improved healthcare services are indeed reflected on the ground, why should a critically ill patient have to wait for assistance at the doorstep of the emergency department?
