Agartala, Jun 06: A Sub-Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO) in Tripura’s Khowai district broke into tears at his office after MLA and chief whip of Tripura Legislative Assembly Kalyani Roy sought explanation from him on camera regarding several shortcomings and mismanagement at Teliamura sub-divisional hospital.
Repeated complaints against the hospital authorities forced the MLA to conduct the surprise visit. She said, several irregularities were notices during the visit.
There were allegations that patients were not receiving adequate care and attention at the hospital. Concerns were also raised regarding the alleged negligence and inefficiency in the implementation and disbursement of benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.
It was further alleged that a substantial amount of funds allocated for patient welfare had been returned unutilized due to administrative shortcomings and the hospital management’s inability to effectively utilize the resources. Additionally, reports suggested that several doctors had been irregular in attending their duties, affecting the delivery of healthcare services.
During her inspection, Roy found that the hospital’s Operation Theatre (OT) in-charge, Samir Debbarma, along with several other staff members, was absent from duty. Hospital authorities were reportedly unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for their absence.
Expressing strong displeasure over the situation, the MLA met Sub-Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO) Raja Jamatia and sought clarification on the various issues. However, his responses reportedly failed to satisfy her concerns.
Roy subsequently called a meeting of the hospital staff and questioned the circumstances under which patients were allegedly being subjected to harassment and inconvenience. She also criticized officials responsible for implementing the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, accusing them of failing to ensure smooth delivery of benefits to eligible patients.
Speaking to reporters after the inspection, MLA Kalyani Roy said, “I have repeatedly raised public grievances with the SDMO and urged him to address them. I am not sure whether he has taken any of my communications seriously. Whenever senior departmental officials conduct inspection visits, he deliberately remains absent. I have also come across instances where his signature appears on OPD prescriptions despite him being officially on leave on those dates. Such actions constitute a clear violation of established rules and regulations.”
She further stated that the matter would be brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities and that she would seek necessary action to address the alleged irregularities and improve healthcare services at the hospital.