A viral video from Coimbatore Government General Hospital has sparked outrage after it showed a man dragging his ailing father across the hospital floor due to the unavailability of a wheelchair, despite waiting for over two hours. The footage has drawn sharp criticism from the Tamil Nadu BJP, highlighting concerns over the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran described the incident as “heart-wrenching” and questioned the state government’s claims of providing a world-class healthcare system. Sharing the video on social media platform X, Nagendran remarked, “From carrying patients on cloth stretchers in hilly areas to dragging patients at multi-specialty hospitals, is tormenting people for medical care what constitutes the ‘world-renowned healthcare infrastructure,’ Chief Minister Stalin?”
The BJP accused the DMK government of prioritising publicity campaigns and advertisements over ensuring basic healthcare facilities for citizens. Nagendran urged the state administration to focus on improving patient care and accessibility rather than promoting “flashy, empty advertisements,” especially as the government’s term nears its end.
This incident has reignited discussions about the state of public healthcare in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing the urgent need for adequate infrastructure, trained staff, and proper medical equipment. The BJP has called on the government to take immediate corrective measures to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure that patients, particularly the elderly and critically ill, receive dignified care.
The viral video serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by patients in government hospitals and the pressing need for systemic reforms in healthcare delivery across the state.