The Tripura government has taken a series of major decisions to strengthen cancer care services at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Regional Cancer Centre (ABVRCC) following a comprehensive inspection by Health Secretary Kiran Gitte on Monday.
During his visit to the cancer hospital, Gitte directed authorities to initiate work for the introduction of bone marrow transplantation services at the centre at the earliest. He also stressed the need to ensure that no medical equipment remains non-functional and instructed Medical Superintendent Dr. Shiromani Debbarma to take immediate steps whenever any machine develops faults.
To reduce patient load at the cancer hospital, the Health Secretary directed that oncologists regularly visit the three oncology day-care centres located in Dhalai, Gomati and Santirbazar districts. The initiative aims to enable patients to access services such as oral chemotherapy, palliative care and follow-up treatment within their respective districts, reducing the need for frequent travel to Agartala.
Under the proposed plan, oncologists will visit these centres once every month to provide training and professional support to local doctors, thereby improving the quality and confidence of district-level cancer care services.
Gitte also advised officials to make effective use of funds available under the Rogi Kalyan Samiti. During the review meeting, he was informed that there are currently no referrals from the cancer hospital for surgical procedures, indicating improved in-house treatment capabilities.
The Health Secretary emphasized the importance of expanding the capacity of the Regional Cancer Centre, ensuring regular utilization of existing medical equipment and maintaining uninterrupted services at district-level day-care centres.
Speaking to reporters, Gitte said the cancer hospital possesses several advanced facilities, including a modern laboratory, which he inspected during the visit. Referring to the bone marrow ward, he stated that Chief Minister Manik Saha has directed that the facility be made operational at the earliest.
He further warned that action would be taken against companies that have failed to respond to maintenance requests for medical equipment under existing service contracts. Authorities have been instructed to contact original equipment manufacturers directly to restore non-functional machines.
The Health Secretary assured that all necessary technical support required by specialist doctors would be provided. On the availability of medicines at Amrit Pharmacy outlets, he stated that all essential medicines should remain accessible and any shortages must be addressed promptly.
ABVRCC currently operates advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities, including CT Scan, MRI, PET Scan and Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machines. Gitte assured that adequate technical manpower and medical personnel would be provided to maintain uninterrupted services despite the heavy workload on these facilities.
He also announced that a newly constructed night shelter near GB Pant Hospital would be made operational soon by the Urban Development Department to address accommodation difficulties faced by attendants of patients undergoing treatment.
Describing the infrastructure and functioning of the cancer centre as satisfactory, Gitte said that all necessary support for the institution would be extended through the Rogi Kalyan Samiti, the State Government and the National Health Mission (NHM). He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that people of Tripura can access comprehensive cancer treatment within the state itself.
The inspection was attended by NHM Tripura Mission Director Saju Wahid A, Director of Health Services Dr. Debashree Debbarma, Medical Superintendent of ABVRCC Dr. Shiromani Debbarma, Member Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Society Dr. Souvik Debbarma and NHM State Programme Officer Dr. Sarayauti Reang.