By TC News Desk
Agartala, 24th August 2025: Tripura’s healthcare sector is witnessing a significant transformation, with a sharp decline in the number of patients referred outside the state for treatment. Authorities attribute this progress to the continuous expansion of facilities at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GBP Hospital, alongside a series of reforms spearheaded by the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha.
Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, addressing a press conference this evening, highlighted that the government’s priority has been to provide patients with access to advanced treatment within the state itself. “Earlier, nearly 2,000 patients were forced to seek treatment outside Tripura each year. Today, that number has been reduced to almost one-third,” Gitte said. According to official data, the referrals dropped to 774 in 2022-23, 722 in 2023-24, and further down to 690 so far in the current financial year.
Gitte noted that the Chief Minister’s personal involvement in programs like Mukhyamantri Samipeshu has created greater confidence among patients to opt for treatment within Tripura. “The Chief Minister listens directly to patients, addresses their concerns, and ensures they are aware of the improved services now available in the state,” he added.
Currently, the state’s three largest hospitals—GBP Hospital, IGM Hospital, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Regional Cancer Hospital—collectively offer nearly 2,200 beds and serve between 4,000 and 5,000 patients daily through outpatient services. AGMC and GBP Hospital now offer multiple specialty services and even a super-specialty service, which was earlier unthinkable in the state.
The Health Secretary further outlined the expansion of critical healthcare infrastructure. Tripura’s hospitals are now equipped with 24×7 diagnostic and emergency facilities, including CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, dialysis units, trauma care, blood banks, and operating theatres. Importantly, snakebite vaccines—often crucial in rural and tribal areas—have been made available across all primary health centres. AGMC and GBP Hospital together have 116 ICU beds, distributed across cardiology, neurology, pediatrics, and other departments.
To strengthen the medical workforce, Gitte informed that 45 specialist doctors were recently recruited through the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC). Moreover, the government has launched an initiative to bring in highly trained gynecologists from outside the state to provide advanced treatment for complex cases. “This will ensure that women requiring specialized care do not have to travel to Guwahati, Kolkata, or other metros,” he said.
Looking ahead, the state government has laid out ambitious plans. A 200-bed Mother and Child Hospital is under construction, which is expected to significantly improve maternal and neonatal healthcare. Eight new medical services and courses are also in the pipeline, aimed at boosting both patient care and the training of future doctors. “Our vision is to ensure that all major surgical procedures can be conducted in Tripura itself,” Gitte emphasized, adding that the government is exploring tie-ups to bring in additional specialists for areas like oncology, neurosurgery, and advanced cardiology.
Senior medical professionals were present at the briefing, including GBP Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Shankar Chakraborty, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Regional Cancer Hospital Superintendent Dr. Shiromani Debbarma, Cardiologist Dr. Anind Sundar Trivedi, IGM Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Debashree Debbarma, Surgeon Dr. Maniranjan Debbarma, Neurologist Dr. Reddy, and Gynecologist Dr. Jayant Roy. They echoed the Health Secretary’s remarks, noting that the availability of improved equipment and specialist doctors has not only reduced patient referrals but also increased trust in Tripura’s healthcare system.
With these reforms, Tripura is steadily moving towards self-reliance in healthcare. The government’s focus on infrastructure, manpower, and patient-centric initiatives has already begun to deliver results, reducing the financial burden on families who earlier had no choice but to seek treatment outside the state. Officials expressed confidence that, within the next few years, Tripura will emerge as a regional hub for advanced medical services in the Northeast.
