A wave of grief and anger has swept across Agartala after the tragic death of a minor girl, allegedly due to medical negligence at IGM Hospital. Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury on Friday visited the residence of the deceased, 13-year-old Papia Sarkar, to console the grieving family and take stock of the incident.
According to reports, Papia suddenly fell ill at her school earlier this week. Teachers immediately informed her parents, who rushed her to IGM Hospital in Agartala for emergency treatment. However, her family has alleged that the doctors on duty in the emergency ward failed to provide timely medical attention.
Family members claimed that despite repeated pleas, the attending physicians were busy attending phone calls and other tasks instead of focusing on the critically ill child. They alleged that this delay proved fatal, as Papia’s condition deteriorated rapidly and she ultimately lost her life without receiving proper medical intervention.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the bereaved family, Jitendra Chaudhury expressed deep concern over the shocking allegations. He said that no family should ever have to suffer such a devastating loss due to lapses in the healthcare system.
“If the allegations are true, this incident is a serious matter that requires urgent introspection both by the Health Department and the doctors involved. A child’s life should never be lost because of negligence or indifference,” Chaudhury stated.
The Leader of Opposition assured the Sarkar family that he would raise the matter with higher authorities in the health department to ensure accountability and justice. He also demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged negligence and called for strict action if the claims were found valid.
The incident has sparked outrage among local residents and social organizations, who have questioned the state of emergency healthcare facilities in Tripura. Many have pointed out that IGM Hospital, one of the largest in Agartala, is often overcrowded and understaffed, raising serious concerns about patient care and management.
Healthcare activists have urged the state government to improve infrastructure, increase manpower, and strengthen monitoring mechanisms to prevent such tragedies in the future. They emphasized that negligence in the medical field not only leads to loss of precious lives but also erodes public trust in government healthcare institutions.
As Papia’s family continues to mourn the untimely loss of their daughter, the incident has reignited a larger debate on the accountability of healthcare professionals and the urgent need for reforms in Tripura’s public health system.