Patients at a government health facility in the Unakoti district of Tripura are facing difficult conditions as rising admissions expose gaps in basic infrastructure. The Fatikroy Primary Health Centre has only 10 beds. Patients reportedly have to use the floor when all beds remain occupied. Power cuts are adding to the hardship, especially during hot weather.
Key Takeaways
- Fatikroy Primary Health Centre is struggling with a shortage of beds as patient numbers rise.
- Frequent power cuts leave patients without fans and adequate lighting during outages.
- Hospital authorities have sought additional nursing staff and discussed alternative power arrangements.
Rising Patient Pressure at Fatikroy Hospital
The Fatikroy Primary Health Centre has come under pressure because of a steady increase in patients. The facility serves people from rural areas of Unakoti district.
The health centre has a 10-bed capacity. However, the existing infrastructure is no longer enough to meet the demand, according to patients and hospital authorities.
Patients said they sometimes have to lie on the floor when all beds are occupied. The situation has raised concerns over the capacity of the rural healthcare facility.
The rise in seasonal illnesses has also increased pressure on the hospital. Hospital in-charge Dr Mrinmoy Chakma said cases of fever, cold and cough have increased in recent days.
He said the hospital cannot provide beds to every patient when admissions rise sharply.
Patients Forced to Use Hospital Floor
Patients admitted to the health centre have complained about the shortage of beds.
One patient, Sujit Shabda Kar, said he had to receive treatment while lying on the floor because no bed was available.
He also raised concerns about the power supply. According to him, fans stop working during power cuts. The situation becomes difficult for patients during periods of intense heat.
Sujit urged the authorities to increase the number of beds at the health centre. He also demanded a reliable alternative power supply.
Another patient relative, Kanchana Shabda Kar, raised similar concerns. She said patients have faced bed and electricity problems at the facility for a long time.
She urged the authorities to take immediate steps to improve the situation.
Power Cuts Add to Patient Suffering
Electricity shortages have emerged as another major concern at the Fatikroy facility.
Patients said fans stop as soon as the electricity supply is disrupted. This makes it difficult for patients to cope with the heat.
The hospital uses an inverter during power cuts. However, the backup system cannot operate the fans, according to hospital in-charge Dr Mrinmoy Chakma.
The problem becomes more serious when an outage continues for several hours. The inverter battery eventually loses its charge.
Patients can then remain without adequate lighting at night. The lack of functioning fans also increases discomfort.
Dr Chakma said discussions have taken place with local representatives regarding an alternative power arrangement.
Staff Shortage Also a Concern
The health centre is facing a shortage of doctors and healthcare workers, according to the hospital in-charge.
The shortage creates additional pressure when patient numbers increase.
Dr Chakma said the hospital has approached higher authorities for additional nursing officers.
He said more nursing staff would help the facility provide better services to patients.
Patients have also complained about sanitation. Some alleged that an unpleasant smell comes from the hospital toilets.
The complaints point to wider infrastructure challenges at the rural health centre.
Medical College Plan Raises Infrastructure Question
The problems at Fatikroy have come to the fore amid plans for a medical college in Unakoti district.
Chief Minister and Health Minister Prof Dr Manik Saha has indicated that an organisation wants to establish a medical college at Kailashahar.
The state government has also indicated its willingness to provide land for the proposed institution.
A medical college could expand advanced healthcare and medical education opportunities in the district. However, the condition of existing rural health facilities remains an immediate concern.
Residents believe both issues require attention.
They want the government to pursue the medical college plan while also strengthening primary healthcare facilities.
Demand for Immediate Government Action
Patients and their families have called for an increase in the number of beds at Fatikroy Primary Health Centre.
They have also demanded more doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers.
A dependable power supply remains another key demand. Patients want the hospital to have a backup system that can operate essential equipment, including fans and lights.
For rural residents, primary health centres remain the first point of contact with the public healthcare system.
Better infrastructure at these facilities can reduce the pressure on larger hospitals and improve access to basic medical care.
The situation at Fatikroy has therefore renewed the demand for stronger rural healthcare infrastructure in Unakoti district.
While plans for a medical college represent a long-term healthcare goal, patients are seeking immediate improvements at the existing facility.
For them, more beds, adequate staff, proper sanitation and uninterrupted electricity are basic requirements rather than long-term ambitions.