Trirpura Cong to stage protest against Govt’s decision to slash free health services

AGARTALA | Sept 09, 2019:

The Tripura Congress will stage a massive state wide protest today at 4 pm to protest against the State government's decision to slash free-health-services in the Govt hospitals.

The information regarding the protest was informed through a press release by the party.

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It may be mentioned that the Department of Health and Family Welfare on September 6 had announced that from now on, consumers will need to pay Rs. 20 and Rs. 10 for registration in Out Patient Department (OPD). The prices added ICU beds at Rs. 300 for Antodaya Annapurna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries, Rs. 300 for Priority Group consumers and at Rs. 600 for people above the poverty level per day. Also Rs. 30 and Rs. 20 for admission in hospital beds is mandatory for all patients. AC cabins in public hospitals would be charged at Rs. 700 daily. Food would be charged at Rs. 50 per day for APL consumers.

Opposing this decision, Congress leader Subal Bhowmik, in the press release, said that government hospitals are meant for the poor and middle-class people.

"Free health service is the people's right," he said.

Another Congress leader, Gopal Roy added that the announcement of Department of Health and Family Welfare is not only a "shame" but also a "failure" of the BJP Govt. "Under the BJP Govt now, people have to die without treatment in Tripura," he said.

According to the press release, Tripura Congress will hold statewide protest at 4 pm today whereas other opposition parties will also other forms of protests against the decision of the Government.