Agartala, Aug 24: The Tripura government spends nearly three percent of the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) on healthcare, significantly higher than the national average, Health Secretary Kiran Gitte informed the media at a press conference in Agartala on Saturday.
“The state has earmarked a budget of ₹2,000 crore for the health sector, which accounts for 3 percent of the GSDP. Our priority is to ensure patients get the best possible medical facilities,” Gitte said.
Underscoring the public’s reliance on government hospitals, the Health Secretary revealed that 98 percent of patients in Tripura seek treatment at state-run facilities, including GB Pant Hospital, IGM Hospital, and the Regional Cancer Centre.
He also highlighted a sharp decline in the number of referral cases to outside the state for advanced treatment.
“Before 2018, an average of 2,000 patients was referred outside Tripura every year. Over the past three years, the figures have reduced significantly. In 2022-23, referrals stood at 778, followed by 722 in 2023-24, and 690 in the last financial year. This shows a two-thirds decline,” he noted.
Providing details of the existing infrastructure, Gitte said that GB Pant Hospital currently has 1,400 beds, IGM Hospital offers 600 beds, and the Regional Cancer Centre has more than 200 beds.
“Each year, nearly two lakh patients receive inpatient care in these hospitals, while 12 to 15 lakh patients visit outpatient departments (OPDs).
GB Pant alone handles over 2,000 OPD cases daily, while IGM records between 1,400 and 1,500 patients, and the cancer hospital attends 600 to 700 patients in its OPD,” he explained.
He further added that GB Pant Hospital has 316 ICU beds and conducts most of the super-specialty tests required, except a few.
On the recent visit of an AIIMS delegation, Gitte said, “They have submitted their report, and based on their recommendations, we have already prepared an action plan. They advised setting up a few full-fledged departments, and accordingly, we are initiating a special ward where patients can avail of paid services if they choose.”
Addressing security concerns, the Health Secretary said measures are being taken to curb theft inside hospitals. Private security personnel deployed at GB Pant are undergoing specialized training at the police training institute to strengthen vigilance and maintain order within the premises.
Medical Superintendent of GB Pant Hospital, Sankar Chakraborty, also addressed the media and outlined upcoming IPD services. Senior doctors from IGM Hospital and various departments of GB Pant shared their respective achievements during the press conference.
Health officials urged citizens to continue trusting the state’s public healthcare system, while Gitte appealed to journalists to report responsibly on hospital matters. He cited recent instances where incorrect reporting created confusion and clarified that those claims were factually inaccurate.
