Agartala, July 5: Tripura Congress MLA Birajit Sinha on Sunday launched a strong attack on the BJP-led state government over its decision to prohibit private practice by doctors of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital, terming the move “impractical” and demanding its immediate review.
Addressing a mass sit-in demonstration organised by the All India Panchayat Parishad, Tripura State Committee, outside the Circuit House in Agartala, Sinha alleged that the government had imposed the restriction without first addressing the long-standing shortcomings in the state’s healthcare system.
He argued that banning private practice alone would not improve public healthcare services when GBP Hospital, the state’s premier referral hospital, continues to face an acute shortage of doctors, nurses and technical staff. According to the Congress legislator, inadequate infrastructure, limited operation theatre facilities and prolonged waiting hours continue to cause hardship for patients.
“Patients are forced to wait for several hours to receive treatment, while the shortage of medical personnel and infrastructure has severely affected the quality of healthcare services,” Sinha said. He maintained that the government should first strengthen the health system before implementing such policy decisions.
Sinha further claimed that the order has particularly affected pregnant women and patients requiring specialised consultations and surgeries, as many now face uncertainty regarding the availability of experienced doctors beyond regular hospital hours.
Expanding his criticism beyond the healthcare sector, the Congress MLA alleged that the state government had failed to address several public concerns, including deteriorating road infrastructure and alleged corruption in public works. He claimed that people across Tripura were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with what he described as a series of “unrealistic” decisions taken by the BJP-led administration.
Referring to Sunday’s protest programme, Sinha alleged that several party supporters travelling to Agartala were unable to reach the venue on time after a train was delayed due to a road blockade elsewhere. He said the Congress had appealed to the authorities to remove the obstruction in the interest of stranded passengers.
Demanding that the government immediately withdraw the order banning private practice by AGMC and GBP Hospital doctors, Sinha warned that the Congress, along with allied organisations, would intensify its agitation across the state if the decision was not reconsidered. He urged the government to hold consultations with doctors and healthcare stakeholders before implementing policies that directly affect medical services and patient care.
