Agartala Correspondent, July 18:
At Tripura’s premier government medical facility, Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital, a large number of patients and their attendants are regularly availing free medical services through the Ayushman Bharat scheme. According to hospital sources, beneficiaries are able to collect prescribed medicines free of cost from dedicated counters using their Ayushman cards.

While the system works efficiently during patient admission, many patients and their families are raising serious concerns about what happens at the time of discharge. A hospital staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that although staff at Ayushman counters assist patients diligently at the time of admission, their cooperation noticeably drops when patients return to submit the required discharge documents.

As a result, the Ayushman cards often remain ‘active’ or ‘unclosed’ in the system. This administrative lapse leads to daily confusion, verbal spats, and even heated arguments at the counters. More alarmingly, such unresolved records have created serious issues for patients traveling outside the state for further treatment — only to find their Ayushman cards unusable because they were never properly deactivated in the system at GBP Hospital.

Public sentiment is growing stronger, with many questioning whether such negligence is merely an administrative flaw or part of a deeper conspiracy. “Is this the work of a vested interest group trying to tarnish the public image of a government that is otherwise delivering commendable healthcare services?” one frustrated caregiver asked.

The ongoing disruptions are not only causing inconvenience to patients but are also gradually eroding public trust in the state’s otherwise people-centric healthcare efforts. Observers stress the urgent need for strict monitoring and accountability at Ayushman service counters to preserve the integrity of the scheme and ensure uninterrupted healthcare access for all.