Health notification: Opposition unhappy with Govt.

Deputy leader of the opposition MLA Badal Chowdhury, who also served as the Health Minister of the state, has on today condemned the introduction increased fee structure in government hospitals of the state and also suspected that the move was taken to facilitate private health institutes.

In a press statement, Chowdhury said, the state government has increased the fees charged in different government run hospitals by 100 to 200 percent. Due to this, patients from middle class, upper lower class and lower class back ground will face massive problems. And, it is a clear attempt of pushing people towards private health institutes, the former health minister added.

He also alleged that the government has reduced supply free medicines in the hospitals, even patient parties were being forced to buy bandage and plaster materials. Coming down heavily on the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb who also holds the charge of health department, he claimed, it is the first time a necessary service like health has been subjected to taxes.

Tripura Pradesh Congress President Pradyot Kishore Dev Barman also confronted the issue and claimed that the move went against the public interest. Speaking to this correspondent over phone, he said, I have sent instructions to each of district head quarters of the party. All district units of the party will stage demonstrations in front of local hospital protesting against government’s notification.

“The government should not have taken such a decision. Health is a very essential service and this step will make lower and middle class people suffer” Pradyot said. Former MLA and Congress leader Gopal Roy also criticized the move of the government and demanded immediate removal of the increased fee charges.

Meanwhile, DYFI (Democratic Youth Federation of India) state unit also organized a rally in the city this evening in an attempt to make a strong statement against the government.