LoP Jitendra Chaudhury criticized BJP MLA Kalyani Roy’s public reprimand of a health official at Teliamura Sub-Divisional Hospital, calling it a publicity stunt. The incident sparked political debate over healthcare administration, staff shortages, governance, and the state government’s handling of healthcare services in Tripura.
A fresh political controversy has erupted in Tripura after Leader of Opposition and CPI(M) State Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury sharply criticized BJP MLA Kalyani Roy for publicly reprimanding a senior health official during her visit to Teliamura Sub-Divisional Hospital. Describing the episode as a “publicity stunt,” Chaudhury argued that administrative shortcomings should be addressed through established institutional mechanisms rather than through public confrontations.
The controversy stems from Roy’s inspection of Teliamura Sub-Divisional Hospital on Saturday, where she reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction over healthcare services and questioned the functioning of hospital authorities. Videos and photographs of the interaction soon went viral on social media, drawing widespread public attention and triggering a heated political debate.
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Chaudhury said that public representatives have every right to raise concerns regarding deficiencies in public services. However, he stressed that elected representatives must maintain restraint and decorum while dealing with government officials.
“If an official is responsible for misconduct or there are issues regarding competence, those matters should certainly be addressed. The concerned official should be informed about shortcomings, but the process should be carried out with reasonable restraint and responsibility,” Chaudhury said.
According to the CPI(M) leader, the MLA could have convened a formal review meeting involving senior administrative and health officials to discuss the issues and seek corrective measures. Instead, he alleged that the matter was handled in a manner that appeared designed to attract public attention rather than achieve meaningful administrative reforms.
Chaudhury further claimed that the extensive circulation of videos and photographs on social media could ultimately prove counterproductive. He argued that public humiliation of officials does little to resolve systemic challenges and may instead distract from the real issues affecting healthcare delivery.
Referring to the broader healthcare situation in Tripura, Chaudhury said the incident reflected deeper structural problems within the state’s healthcare system. He maintained that blaming individual officials alone would not solve the crisis, pointing to a significant shortage of manpower across hospitals and health institutions.
“The entire healthcare system is facing an acute shortage of personnel. The state lacks adequate healthcare workers to ensure quality services for patients. The government has not taken sufficient initiatives to fill vacant posts and continues to rely heavily on contractual appointments under the National Health Mission,” he alleged.
The controversy intensified after reports emerged that the Sub-Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO), identified as Raja Jamatia, became emotional and broke into tears while being reprimanded during the inspection. The incident generated mixed reactions among citizens and political observers, with some supporting strict accountability and others questioning the manner in which it was enforced.
Responding to Chaudhury’s remarks, BJP MLA Kalyani Roy defended her actions and asserted that Tripura’s healthcare sector has undergone significant transformation under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha.
Roy said the Opposition leader had failed to understand the context of the issue and highlighted several achievements in the healthcare sector. She pointed to the expansion of medical colleges, increased postgraduate medical seats, upgraded hospital facilities, and the availability of super-speciality services within the state.
“The healthcare delivery system in Tripura has witnessed a massive change. A dedicated dental hospital has already been established, and efforts are underway to launch an eye hospital. Compared to the previous Left Front regime, the healthcare sector has improved significantly,” she said.
| Also Read: MLA Kalyani Roy Questions Hospital Administration in Teliamura |
As the political exchange continues, the Teliamura hospital episode has once again brought the condition of healthcare services in Tripura into public focus, raising important questions about accountability, administrative conduct, and the challenges facing the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
