BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 19th February 2024 : A dire situation is unfolding at Teliamura Sub-Divisional Hospital under Khowai District as a severe shortage of vaccines has left patients, including a child bitten by a dog, without the crucial antidotes they urgently need.
The scarcity has persisted for over a month, causing distress among residents who are forced to purchase vaccines at exorbitant prices from external sources.
The crisis came to light when a family rushed their child, bitten by a dog on Sunday night, to Teliamura sub-division hospital, only to be informed that the hospital had run out of the necessary antidote. Desperate to secure the life-saving treatment for their child, the family was compelled to purchase the vaccine from a nearby store.
Teliamura Sub-Divisional Health Officer, Dr. Chandan Debbarma, acknowledged the shortage during an interview on Monday, revealing that the hospital has been grappling with insufficient vaccine supplies for the past month.
“The scarcity extends beyond Teliamura, affecting other hospitals in the Khowai district as well”, he said.
Dr. Debbarma expressed that the matter has been reported to higher authorities, but he was unable to provide a timeline for when the antidotes would be made available free of charge at the hospital once again.
This shortage has created a burden on the community, forcing individuals to dig into their pockets to purchase essential medicines. Despite awareness among concerned department officials, the prevailing negligence is exacerbating the crisis. The Sub-division Health Administration is facing criticism for its perceived irresponsibility in managing the situation. As the community grapples with the repercussions of this healthcare emergency, urgent intervention from authorities is imperative to ensure the timely availability of vaccines and prevent further harm to the public.
