Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha on Wednesday laid the foundation stones for the expansion of Gomati District Hospital, Tripura Sundari Sub-Divisional Hospital, and a Public Health Unit in Udaipur. The three healthcare projects involve an estimated investment of Rs 189 crore.
The foundation stone ceremony was held at the premises of Tripura Sundari Sub-Divisional Hospital, where the Chief Minister, along with Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, also participated in the Bhumi Pujan ceremony for the hospital’s expansion project.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Saha said that the state government is giving priority to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and is developing modern facilities at primary health centres, sub-divisional hospitals, district hospitals and referral hospitals to ensure better medical services for citizens.
He said development projects worth around Rs 1,500 crore were inaugurated or launched in the last financial year, while projects worth nearly Rs 1,300 crore have been initiated in the current financial year. He also highlighted Udaipur’s religious, cultural and historical importance and said the government is working to develop satellite townships in Agartala, Dharmanagar and Udaipur.
The Chief Minister said the expansion of Tripura Sundari Sub-Divisional Hospital would cost Rs 46.40 crore, while the expansion of Gomati District Hospital would require Rs 142 crore. The Public Health Unit will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 60 lakh.
Highlighting improvements in the health sector, Dr. Saha said MBBS, BDS and nursing seats have been increased, while bed capacity in district hospitals and AGMC has also been expanded. He added that referrals of patients to hospitals outside the state have declined by around 80 percent.
He further said that work has started on a modern eye hospital near ILS Hospital, Agartala, and stressed the importance of free treatment and diagnostic facilities provided under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Chief Minister's Niramay Arogya Yojana.
Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy said the initiative would help patients receive improved healthcare services and reaffirmed the government's commitment to upgrading medical facilities at Tripura Sundari Sub-Divisional Hospital.
The programme was attended by Gomati Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Debal Deb Roy, Udaipur Municipal Council Chairperson Sital Chandra Majumder, Health department Secretary Kiran Gitte, District Magistrate (DM) Rinku Lakher, among others.