Agartala, July 1 —
In a major push towards transforming Tripura into a regional health hub, Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Tuesday announced that the state government is in active discussions to introduce liver and bone marrow transplant services. Speaking on the occasion of National Doctors’ Day at Pragya Bhavan, Agartala, Dr. Saha, who also holds the Health portfolio, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to uplift the standard of healthcare services in the state.
Dr. Saha highlighted several key initiatives aimed at enhancing the state’s medical infrastructure.
“Our government is taking concrete steps to expand and modernize health facilities across Tripura. The ultimate goal is to establish Tripura as a healthcare hub in the Northeast,”
he stated.
To that end, the Chief Minister announced that nine super-specialty services have already been initiated with an investment of approximately ₹250 crore. Additionally, construction work is underway for the Agartala Government Dental College, which is being developed under the PM-DevINE scheme with a budget of ₹202 crore.
In another major development, financial provisions have been made in the current state budget to set up a 100-bed ultra-modern eye hospital next to the ILS (Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital).
“We’re focused on providing advanced treatment within the state so that patients do not have to travel far,”
he added.
In a first for the state, the Chief Minister revealed that the government is in talks with the Mohan Foundation—a national NGO working in the field of organ donation—for initiating liver transplant procedures in Tripura. Simultaneously, discussions are also progressing to start bone marrow transplants, a move that could revolutionize specialized care in the state.
“Yesterday, Tripura successfully conducted its third kidney transplant, and both the donor and recipient are doing well. These achievements mark our steady progress in advanced medical procedures,”
Dr. Saha said.
Recognizing the stress and challenges faced by medical professionals, especially due to the imbalanced doctor-patient ratio, Dr. Saha urged the public to respect and support healthcare workers.
“Doctors are under immense mental stress. It’s essential for society to understand the pressure they work under,”
he noted.
In an effort to address the shortage of medical professionals, the Chief Minister said that the government has initiated the process of appointing more doctors. Notably, many Tripura-origin doctors practicing outside the state have expressed their desire to return and contribute locally. “We are creating a respectful and professional environment to bring them back,” he affirmed.
As part of the state’s mission to create a drug-free Tripura, Dr. Saha said a modern drug de-addiction center is being established at Bishramganj, funded by the Ministry of DoNER, with a budget of ₹122 crore. Additionally, each district will have its own de-addiction center, with individual allocations of ₹20 crore.
“These efforts reflect our zero-tolerance policy against substance abuse and our determination to ensure a healthier society,”
Dr. Saha said.
Healthcare Coverage Expands:
Dr. Saha also highlighted the success of the state’s health coverage initiatives. Under the Chief Minister’s Jan Arogya Yojana, the government has already spent around ₹17 crore, while under the Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana, more than ₹239 crore has been utilized to provide treatment to thousands of patients.
During the National Doctors’ Day program, Dr. Saha paid tribute to Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the legendary physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, whose birth and death anniversary fall on July 1. “Doctors’ Day is a reminder of the selfless service rendered by medical professionals. We must continue to honor and support them,” said the Chief Minister.
The event was graced by senior officials including Rajib Dutta, Additional Secretary of the Health Department; Dr. Tapan Majumder, Director of Health; Dr. Anjan Das, Director of Family Welfare and Disease Prevention; Dr. H. P. Sharma, Director of Medical Education; and principals of AGMC, Tripura Medical College, and Dental College.
