Agartala, 23rd June 2026: In a significant advancement for healthcare services in Tripura, doctors at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GB Pant Hospital have successfully performed the state’s first minimally invasive procedure to treat a complex congenital heart defect, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery.
The milestone was achieved on 11-year-old Arbik Debbarma from Teliamura in Khowai district, who had been living with a congenital heart condition since childhood. A Class VI student, Arbik frequently suffered from breathing difficulties and repeated chest infections, which affected his daily life and overall well-being.
According to hospital sources, Arbik was initially admitted to GB Pant Hospital on March 12, 2026, and was placed under the supervision of the Cardiology Department. Over the next two months, he underwent extensive diagnostic tests, evaluations, and treatment before being discharged on May 12. He was later readmitted on June 1 for a planned corrective procedure.
After a thorough assessment, the medical team, led by Head of the Cardiology Department and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Anindya Sundar Trivedi, opted for a sophisticated catheter-based intervention. The procedure was successfully carried out on June 10, during which doctors closed the heart defect through a blood vessel using advanced minimally invasive technology.
The operation lasted nearly two hours and was completed without the need for open-heart surgery. Following the procedure, Arbik showed remarkable improvement, with his breathing problems and recurring infections fully resolved. He was discharged in stable condition on June 19.
The successful intervention was the result of a coordinated effort by a multidisciplinary team. Cardiologists Dr. Rakesh Das and Dr. Manna Bhattacharya assisted in the procedure, while the Pediatrics Department was represented by Associate Professor Dr. Sribas Das and postgraduate doctor Dr. Syed Ashik.
Medical experts noted that similar treatment at private healthcare facilities generally costs between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 8 lakh. However, under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Arbik received all diagnostic tests, treatment, and procedural care free of charge at AGMC and GB Pant Hospital.
The achievement is being hailed as a major milestone for Tripura’s public healthcare system, demonstrating the growing availability of advanced cardiac care within the state and reducing the need for patients to travel outside Tripura for specialized treatment.
