Discover the shocking truth about Tripura’s facial trauma crisis: 75.2% of 548 cases at AGMC and GBP Hospital (2023-2024) stem from road traffic accidents. Learn why experts demand urgent road safety reforms to curb preventable injuries.
Agartala, April 30, 2025 – A study from the Department of Dentistry, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at AGMC and GBP Hospital has revealed that road traffic accidents (RTAs) accounted for a staggering 75.2% of facial trauma cases in Tripura over the past two years (2023-2024).
The report, released by Dr. Kahamnuk Jamatia, I/C HoD of the Department of Dentistry, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at AGMC and GBP, underscores the critical need for robust road safety measures to address this escalating public health crisis.
Tripura’s facial trauma crisis
The comprehensive analysis of 548 facial trauma cases showed RTAs as the dominant cause, contributing to 412 incidents, dwarfing other causes like falls (73 cases, 13.3%), assault-related injuries (58 cases, 10.6%), and miscellaneous causes (8 cases, 1.5%).
The data paints a grim picture of preventable injuries overwhelming Tripura’s healthcare system, with experts urging immediate action to curb road-related accidents.
Gender Disparity and Injury Patterns
The study highlighted a stark gender imbalance, with 86.5% of victims being male (474 cases) compared to 13.5% female (74 cases).
Local dentists attribute this to men’s higher engagement in high-risk activities, such as riding two-wheelers without helmets or driving recklessly.
“Non-compliance with safety measures like helmets is a major factor,” noted an Agartala-based dentist.
Injury types were also detailed, with midface fractures leading at 58.2% (319 cases), followed by mandible fractures at 28.1% (154 cases), and combined midface and mandible fractures at 13.7% (75 cases).
These severe injuries often demand complex surgeries and prolonged recovery, amplifying the urgency for prevention.
Urgent Call for Road Safety Reforms
Dr. Jamatia and the hospital’s experts emphasized that RTAs are a preventable epidemic.
They advocated for stricter traffic law enforcement, mandatory helmet and seatbelt use, and widespread public awareness campaigns.
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Despite the Tripura government’s efforts—such as mandating helmets for two-wheeler riders and seatbelts for four-wheeler drivers—road accidents remain a persistent threat, particularly among motorbike riders.
The study also stressed the importance of early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention to improve patient outcomes, as delays can lead to complications like infections or permanent disfigurement.
Tripura’s traffic department has launched awareness initiatives, but the high accident rate signals a need for more aggressive measures.
A Public Health Wake-Up Call
The findings from AGMC and GBP Hospital serve as a clarion call for stakeholders to prioritize road safety.
Improved road infrastructure, stricter penalties for traffic violations, and community-driven safety campaigns are critical to reducing the burden of facial trauma and saving lives.
