Healthcare Expansion & Medical Education Reforms in Tripura
Agartala/Khowai Dec 23: Tripura’s healthcare sector is witnessing a significant transformation with large-scale investments in medical infrastructure, education and advanced treatment facilities, Chief Minister Prof. (Dr) Manik Saha said on today while inaugurating and laying foundation stones of 11 development projects in Khowai district.
Addressing a gathering at Dhalabil under Khowai block, the Chief Minister said that expanding access to quality healthcare remains a top priority of the present state government. He announced that the number of MBBS seats in Tripura has increased to 450, while 93 seats are now available in postgraduate medical courses, enabling aspiring doctors from the state to pursue medical education locally at comparatively lower costs.
Highlighting improvements in advanced healthcare services, Dr Saha said that five kidney transplants have already been successfully carried out at GB Hospital, reflecting the growing capacity of the state’s premier medical institution. He also informed that an agreement has been signed with AIIMS, New Delhi, to provide telemedicine services, which will help bridge the gap between patients in remote areas and specialised medical care.
The Chief Minister further stated that 1,024 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres have been made operational across Tripura, strengthening primary healthcare delivery. He added that the state has achieved 100 per cent success under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, ensuring cashless treatment benefits for eligible families.
Several major healthcare infrastructure projects are currently underway, including the construction of a 200-bedded Mother and Child Care Centre, a 100-bedded Eye Hospital, a Super Specialty Hospital and a dedicated building for the Dental College adjacent to GB Hospital.
In Khowai, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Khowai District Hospital and laid the foundation stone for a 50-bedded Drug De-addiction Centre, which is expected to play a crucial role in addressing substance abuse-related challenges in the district.
Infrastructure Push and Development Drive
Placing the healthcare initiatives within the broader development framework, Dr Saha said the state government is working relentlessly to build a “New Tripura” by strengthening infrastructure across sectors such as education, drinking water supply, electricity, road connectivity, sports and agriculture. He noted that NITI Aayog has recognised Tripura as a front-runner state for its progress in education, health, agriculture and road infrastructure.
The Chief Minister also pointed out that Tripura ranks second among the northeastern states in terms of per capita income and Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), reflecting steady economic growth. He virtually inaugurated 11 development projects by pressing a button after performing land worship, laying foundation stones and unveiling plaques for key facilities, including the new building of Khowai District Hospital.
According to official figures, ₹102.30 crore has been earmarked for the implementation of the 11 projects inaugurated during the programme. The construction of the new Khowai District Hospital building and the Drug De-addiction Centre alone will involve an expenditure of ₹45.86 crore.
Governance Reforms and Literacy Milestones
Touching upon governance reforms, the Chief Minister said Tripura has been declared the third fully literate state in the country, with the literacy rate currently standing at 95.6 per cent. He emphasised that Tripura is the only state in India to have implemented the e-Office system from the Cabinet level down to the three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions.
“This digital transformation has significantly improved administrative transparency and accelerated the pace of work,” Dr Saha said, adding that efficient governance and people-centric policies are key pillars of the state’s development strategy.
The programme was attended by Chief Whip of the ruling party in the Legislative Assembly and MLA Kalyani Saha Roy, MLAs Pinaki Das Chowdhury and Nirmal Biswas, Chairperson of Khowai Zilla Parishad Aparna Singh Roy, Chairperson of Khowai Municipal Council Debashis Nath Sharma, Health and Family Welfare Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, Superintendent of Police Ranaditya Das, and other senior officials. The welcome address was delivered by Khowai District Magistrate Rajat Panth.
After the event, the Chief Minister unveiled the bust of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee at Subhash Park in Khowai town and inaugurated the Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee Park and Food Park, marking another addition to the district’s civic and recreational infrastructure.