A 49-year-old woman from Tripura has recovered after doctors at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GBP Hospital successfully treated a congenital heart defect through advanced catheter-based (Cath lab) procedure free of cost without open-heart surgery. The procedure free under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, saved her from a costly operation that could have cost up to ₹5 lakh at a private hospital.
Key Takeaways
- GBP Hospital successfully closed a congenital heart defect without open-heart surgery.
- The treatment was provided free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
- The procedure highlights the growing availability of advanced cardiac care in Tripura’s government healthcare system.
Agartala, August 07: The public healthcare system in Tripura has added another milestone in advanced cardiac care. Doctors at the Cardiology Department of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GBP Hospital successfully treated a 49-year-old woman with a congenital heart defect using a catheter-based intervention. The procedure eliminated the need for open-heart surgery and was provided entirely free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The successful intervention not only restored the patient’s health but also demonstrated that complex cardiac procedures are now available at a government hospital in Tripura.
Woman diagnosed with congenital heart defect
The patient, Purnima Ghosh, a resident of Rajnagar in Udaipur under Gomati district, had been suffering from breathlessness and repeated chest pain for a long time. Her family admitted her to GB Hospital on July 16, 2026, after her symptoms worsened.
She came under the care of Dr. Anindya Sundar Trivedi, Head of the Department of Cardiology and an Interventional Cardiologist. After a series of diagnostic tests, Dr. Trivedi diagnosed her with Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), a congenital heart disease commonly known as a “hole in the heart.”
In patients with ASD, an abnormal opening remains in the wall separating the heart’s upper chambers. If left untreated, the condition can gradually lead to breathing difficulties, fatigue, irregular heart rhythm and other serious complications.
Advanced catheter procedure avoids open-heart surgery
After evaluating the patient’s condition, the medical team decided to close the defect through a minimally invasive catheter-based intervention instead of conventional open-heart surgery.
The procedure took place on July 31. Doctors inserted specialised medical devices through blood vessels to reach the heart and seal the opening. The intervention lasted nearly two hours.
The operation succeeded without requiring the patient’s chest to be opened. Doctors reported that the heart defect was completely closed.
Following the procedure, Purnima Ghosh recovered steadily. Her breathing problems and chest discomfort subsided. Doctors discharged her from the hospital on August 5 after confirming that she had recovered well.
Treatment worth lakhs provided free
According to the hospital, such procedures generally cost between ₹4 lakh and ₹5 lakh in private hospitals.
However, the patient’s investigations, hospitalisation, medical devices and treatment were provided free under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme.
The case highlights the financial relief government healthcare programmes can offer to families requiring advanced medical treatment.
For many patients, the availability of such specialised procedures at a government hospital also reduces the need to travel outside Tripura for treatment.
Team effort behind the successful intervention
Dr. Anindya Sundar Trivedi led the intervention.
Cardiologists Dr. Rakesh Das and Dr. Manna Bhattacharya assisted during the procedure.
The anaesthesia team included Dr. Rimjhim Chakma, Consultant Cardiac Anaesthesiologist, and Dr. Monimoy Debbarma, Consultant Anaesthetist.
Other members of the medical team included cardiologists Dr. Samrat Das, Dr. Aristotle Tripura, Dr. Khamili Debbarma, and Dr. Debashis Reang.
The hospital also acknowledged the contribution of echocardiography technician Kishan Ray, nursing officers Debabrata Debnath, Pranakrishna Deb, Manas Dutta, Titikksha Majumdar, technicians Sanjay Ghosh, Arijit Pal, and other healthcare professionals who supported the procedure.
Public healthcare capacity continues to grow: Enewstime Desk Perspective
The latest intervention reflects the growing capabilities of AGMC and GB Hospital in delivering advanced cardiac care. Modern Cath Lab facilities, experienced specialists and improved medical infrastructure are enabling government hospitals in Tripura to perform procedures that previously required referral to super-speciality centres outside the state.
The successful ASD closure also demonstrates the increasing role of minimally invasive cardiac interventions in improving patient outcomes. Such procedures generally involve shorter hospital stays, faster recovery and lower surgical risks compared with conventional open-heart surgery.
Health officials said the achievement reflects the state’s continued efforts to strengthen tertiary healthcare services and expand access to specialised treatment. As advanced cardiac procedures become more widely available in Tripura, patients can increasingly receive high-quality care closer to home without facing the heavy financial burden often associated with private hospitals.
