Agartala, 11th August 2026: Concerns over the safety and infrastructure of Kailashahar Sub-divisional Hospital have intensified after a portion of the ceiling plaster collapsed inside the facility on Tuesday, narrowly avoiding a major accident.
The incident took place around 11 am in the hospital’s birth and death registration room, when a chunk of plaster fell onto a computer table, reportedly damaging the computer. Plaster also fell in the adjoining corridor, reportedly in front of a woman who had come to collect a birth certificate. No one was injured, but the incident triggered panic among patients and health workers.
Hospital staff alleged that ceiling plaster has fallen at different locations on several occasions, including corridors, offices and areas near patients’ beds. They claimed that despite repeated complaints to officials of the Unakoti District Health Department, no permanent repair work has been undertaken.
The hospital is also reportedly facing several other infrastructure-related problems, including inadequate drinking water, unusable toilets and uncovered overhead water tanks. Four ambulances have reportedly remained non-functional for a long period. Officials cited lack of funds, saying repairs could cost around ₹50,000 per ambulance.
Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised over security around the ambulance garage after dusk and a shortage of doctors. With the hospital’s lone internal medicine specialist reportedly on three months’ leave, patients are allegedly facing difficulties during emergencies and are being forced to approach private nursing homes.
Residents and hospital workers have demanded immediate repairs, adequate medical staff, restoration of ambulances and stronger security measures, warning that continued neglect could lead to a serious accident.
