Advanced medical services now more accessible in Tripura, Health Secretary

The overall picture of the state’s health sector has improved significantly in recent times under the leadership of Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, himself a noted doctor.

Addressing a press conference at Agartala press club on Sunday, Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department, Kiran Gitte said that Tripura is gradually becoming self-sufficient in advanced medical services.

The Health Secretary explained that over the past two years, the referral cases of patients being sent outside the state for advanced treatment have decreased notably. In the year 2022–23, a total of 774 patients were referred outside the state. In 2023–24, this number came down to 722 and in 2024-25, it has again downed to 690, showing a significant improvement in the state’s own medical capacity.

Secretary Kiran Gitte mentioned that the Chief Minister’s strong initiative and direct involvement in the health sector have played a crucial role in achieving this progress. The government has ensured that most advanced medical treatments are now available within the state, reducing dependency on hospitals outside.

He further informed that the three main referral hospitals of the state—GBP Hospital,  IGM and Cancer Hospitals together provide treatment to around 4,000–5,000 patients daily. He highlighted that specialized treatment services such as cardiology, nephrology, oncology, and neurology are now available in these hospitals including 9-super-speciality services. Through the ‘Mukhyamantri Samipeshu’ programme on every Wednesday, the Chief Minister directly extends his helping hand to numerous patients with modern health facilities, said Gitte.

The Health Secretary added that in addition to local doctors, the state government has appointed 45 super-specialist doctors under the Chief Minister’s initiative, strengthening advanced healthcare services. The government has also taken steps to invite external specialist doctors from outside the state for critical treatments whenever necessary.

The Health Secretary said that specialist medical services are now being expanded even to primary health centers across the state. He stated that at present, 24×7 basic life support, city scan, USG, MRI, dialysis, trauma care centers, endoscopy care, CT, dialysis, and ambulance services are operational in different hospitals.

He also informed that the government is planning to establish a 200-bed mother and child hospital along with eight additional units and 8 new courses in various medical fields.

At GBP Hospital in Agartala, 116 ICU beds have been arranged to deal with emergencies.

The Health Secretary emphasized that despite limited resources, Tripura has made remarkable progress in advanced medical facilities. He mentioned that efforts are underway to reduce dependency on outside referrals even further.

The press conference was also attended by Dr Sankar Chakraborty, medical super of GB Hospital,Dr Sirumani Debbarma, medical super of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Regional Cancer Hospital, Dr Alinda Sundar Trivedi of Cardiology department, Dr Debashree Debbarma, medical super of IGM Hospital, Dr S Reddy of Neurology department and other doctors.