Agartala, Aug 1 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday said the state government is working relentlessly to transform the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital into one of the best medical education, research and super-speciality healthcare institutions in Northeast India, while strengthening the state’s overall healthcare ecosystem.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the Health and Family Welfare portfolio, made these remarks while addressing a function organised to mark the 22nd Foundation Day of AGMC and GBP Hospital, the state’s first medical college.
Inaugurating the programme, Saha said establishing a government medical college in Tripura was once considered a distant dream. However, AGMC has now emerged as one of the most important medical institutions in the Northeast, contributing to healthcare delivery, medical education, research and super-specialty services.
He observed that medical institutions are not merely centres for treating diseases but platforms for humanitarian service, knowledge generation, research and the promotion of human values.
Highlighting the government’s sustained efforts to improve medical education, Saha said there was a time when MBBS seats in the state were very limited.
“Today, the total number of MBBS seats in government medical colleges has increased manifold. Expansion of seats at AGMC, capacity enhancement in the Government Dental College, growth of postgraduate medical education and introduction of new specialised courses have opened up opportunities for aspiring medical students,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that within a short span, the state has established a government dental college and is expanding its infrastructure. Simultaneously, the process of setting up an independent Health University is progressing rapidly.
“Once the proposed Health University becomes operational, Tripura will take another significant step forward in medical education, research and the development of skilled healthcare professionals,” said Saha, himself a dental surgeon.
Commending doctors and healthcare professionals, he recalled that patients earlier had to be referred outside Tripura even for less complicated procedures.
“Today, because of the expertise, dedication and use of modern medical technology, even highly complex surgeries are being successfully conducted at AGMC and GBP Hospital. As a result, referrals outside the state have come down significantly,” he said.
Saha further said nine successful kidney transplant surgeries have already been performed in Tripura, while the government is moving ahead to introduce liver and heart transplant facilities in the coming years.
He said both the Central and state governments, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are working in close coordination to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, expand medical education and ensure access to modern healthcare services.
He added that flagship healthcare initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Ayushman Bharat and Mukhyamantri Sarvajan Arogya Abhiyan, are ensuring improved services reach the common people.
“During April–May of the 2026–27 financial year, around 81.7 per cent of children were covered under the complete immunisation programme, reflecting strong public health performance. A subsidised mid-day meal facility for attendants of patients has also been introduced at GBP Hospital at just Rs 10 per meal. Besides, construction of a large Bharat Mata Canteen and a modern night shelter is progressing rapidly,” he added.
–IANS
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