Agartala: Nov 17: The people of Unakoti district are expressing intense anger due to the ongoing suspension of essential services at the district hospital. The CT scan services have been unavailable for an extended period, and the hospital’s oxygen plant has been out of service for over a year. Despite significant funds being allocated in 2022 for the installation of the oxygen plant, it has not been used effectively by the public. Initially, the plant was functional for a few months but broke down by early 2023 and remains non-operational.
Additionally, oxygen plants in all the sub-district hospitals under Unakoti district have also been non-functional for a long time. When questioned, the staff responsible for maintaining the plants refused to comment. This ongoing issue has caused widespread dissatisfaction among the local population, who have repeatedly raised concerns, but the authorities have been indifferent to fixing the machines.
Local residents argue that if such large amounts of government funds were spent on the oxygen plants and they remain unused, then building them was pointless. Patients and their families are now questioning the government’s priorities.
Dr. Rohan Pal, the Medical Superintendent of Unakoti District Hospital, explained that the contract with the company managing the oxygen plant had expired, and until a new agreement is signed, the plant will remain shut. He has submitted a written request to the department’s higher authorities for the resumption of services.