BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 10th February 2026 : Madhupur Primary Health Centre has come under sharp criticism after a 17-year-old schoolgirl was allegedly given the wrong medication by a duty doctor, leading to a serious health scare.
On January 31, Susmita Sarkar, a student from Kamalasagar Debipur, was admitted to the centre with fever. Duty doctor Rajat Bhowmik reportedly administered four tablets meant for a heart patient instead of fever medicine. The girl immediately lost consciousness, sparking chaos inside the hospital. Relatives of the patient vandalized hospital property in protest.
As Susmita’s condition worsened, she was rushed to Tripura Medical College and Dr BR Ambedkar Teaching Hospital at Hapania, where doctors said her life was saved narrowly. The incident drew widespread media attention, prompting the district health department to launch an investigation. Bishalgarh SDMO confirmed negligence, establishing that the wrong medicine had indeed been administered. Following this, Dr. Rajat Bhowmik was transferred to Narsingarh Mental Health Hospital as a disciplinary measure.
Local residents welcomed the action but raised questions about why the duty nurse on shift was not held accountable, as the nurse reportedly handed over the wrong medicine. Meanwhile, Madhupur Health Centre is now facing a severe shortage of doctors. Only one physician remains on duty, forced to work round-the-clock. Another senior doctor, Arpan Debbarma, has gone on leave despite knowing the hospital is understaffed, drawing criticism from various quarters.
Residents of Kamalasagar assembly constituency say they are struggling with healthcare services due to the crisis. They have appealed to the state health minister and chief minister to remove negligent doctors and appoint at least two qualified physicians at Madhupur Hospital to ensure proper treatment facilities.
