Tripura: Opposition unites to oppose govt’s decision to revise healthcare tariffs
AGARTALA | Sept 10, 2019:
The Opposition parties in Tripura on Monday staged protests against the decision of the state government to revise the health care tariffs in government hospitals.
Agartala Block Congress Committee, NSUI, Youth Congress, CPI-M, Amra Bangali staged protests on Monday demanding the government to roll back on its decision.
The Congress staged a sit-in demonstration in front of GB Panth hospital while the opposition CPI-M took out a massive rally at Agartala.
WHAT CAUSED THE UPROAR
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.
WHAT THE CONGRESS HAS TO SAY
While speaking to reporters, Congress leader Panna Deb has termed the decision of BJP government as 'anti-human'.
"The BJP government has increased the expenses for treatment in government hospitals in the state which is totally against the interest of the poor people of the state," she said.
Deb also pointed out that never before has any government done this. "But yes this is the very first time, a government of the state has hiked the expenses of the treatment in a government hospital," she added.
"This is the first time a state government has taken a decision which is against the people", she reiterated while demanding the revocation of the decision, failing of which the Congress will be forced to launch an even bigger movement.
WHAT THE CPI-M HAS TO SAY
The CPI-M has strongly criticized the decision of the state government even as it accused the government of 'playing with the life of the people'.
"Healthcare and education has always been publicly funded in Tripura. This is the first time that medical care has become so expensive in the state," said a member of the CPI-M.
The state government is under tremendous pressure over its decision to revised the health tariffs and it is left to be seen whether or not the BJP-led government will succumb to the pressure.
