AGARTALA / NEW DELHI, Feb 19 (TIWN): Tripura Congress on Wednesday staged a massive protest at Agartala GB hospital's main gate after Govt imposed ICU bed charges along with various new charges recently imposed on tests,operations, food, oxygen etc. Calling the BJP Govt a butcherer, Congress leader Subal Bhowmik has accused the BJP Govt for intriguing to kill the poor people slowly. He mentioned, when many Govt hospitals have made medicines free across India, there is no medicine available in Tripura hospitals and thus people are dying as they are unable to buy medicines. “The BJP came in power with promise of free medical services but after coming in power, all existing facilities are being removed. Blood banks are massively suffering from blood crisis. Congress will not tolerate this. In coming days, Congress has planned for massive protests and the protests to be continued till the Government scraps all inhuman decisions”, Subal Bhowmik told media.

Congress said, this is the first protest as a warning to the BJP led State Govt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w7x2LUWl_4&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1qEXaGFLqVDPv9Odvc-nDVidLBwMd_1KuVUwfD1TKFV-KDeIb3NxR-9yY  ICU bed charge imposed in Govt hospitals, Congress leader Subal Bhowmik blasts BJP Govt. TIWN YouTube Video Feb 19, 2020

The protest was held after Tripura Health Dept under CM cum Health Minister Biplab Deb has issued a notification to impose bed charge on ICU patients regardless APL and BJP. A BPL person now has to pay Rs. 250 whereas an APL Rs. 500 as only bed-charge and rest other things like oxygen and medicines are separate. So, now ICU will be given based on the economic capability of the patients, not for the need ! The notification was issued on 10th February, 2020 with a fresh signature of 17th February, 2020 from the day of effect. No.F.2. (496)-Med/User Charges/ 2017/27614-54 said, “With reference to the meeting held on 31/10/19 at AGMC and GBP hospital chaired by Secretary, Health & Family Welfare it has been decided that the ICU bed-charges of AGMC and GBP hospital will be applicable as per Govt notification  vide no. F.1 (1138)-DHS/2016/3591(V-II) dated 19-7-2019 with immediate effect. “The bed charges of ICU is Rs. 500 per day for APL patients and Rs. 250 per day for BPL patients”, said the circular. 

 Earlier, the Govt imposed charges for tests, operations etc in the hospital by scrapping free medical services. Now, high charges of ICU bed per day is imposed.