By TC News Desk
Agartala, 12th November 2024: Unakoti District Hospital has been facing an alarming shortage of paediatric care for the past three days, as the district’s only paediatrician remains absent.
The situation has left parents, many from financially strained backgrounds, scrambling for adequate medical support for their children.Sources said that children from across the district, some from remote areas, continue to arrive at the hospital for essential treatment. However, due to the unavailability of a paediatrician, they are either left untreated or are forced to rely on general physicians who lack specialized paediatric training. “
“Many parents, driven by desperation, are choosing to admit their children despite the absence of a specialist, taking a risky gamble with their health due to financial constraints and the long distances involved in reaching alternative facilities. Parents of children currently admitted voiced their frustration, saying that the hospital’s paediatrician has been unavailable for nearly four days, leaving them with little choice but to accept care from non-specialist doctors”, said Sources.
Despite attempts to reach out to the hospital’s Medical Superintendent (MS) for an explanation on the paediatrician’s absence, no official response has been received.
This silence only amplifies concerns over accountability and management within the hospital’s administration.
The issue raises serious questions regarding the state’s commitment to a “health revolution” and the envisioned transformation of Tripura’s healthcare system into a regional hub. It is essential that a district-level hospital like Unakoti ensures 24/7 availability of critical medical specialists, such as paediatricians. If a doctor is on leave, it is the duty of the hospital administration to provide adequate cover by arranging a substitute, thus maintaining uninterrupted care.
