Healthcare is a basic necessity for every individual. A healthy society can be built only
when its people remain healthy. Keeping this in mind, the state government is working
to provide modern and quality healthcare services to people in both urban and remote
areas. Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha stated this while inaugurating the newly
constructed three-storey building housing Agartala Government Nursing College, Dr. B.
R. Ambedkar Nursing School and the ANM Training Institute at Durjoynagar. He also
laid the foundation stone and performed the Bhoomi Pujan for a new building of the
Narsingarh Primary Health Centre. The newly constructed three-storey building at
Durjoynagar has been built at a cost of ₹8.44 crore and will accommodate the three
nursing and training institutions under one roof.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the state government’s objective is to
ensure that government healthcare services reach every individual, including children,
senior citizens and economically weaker sections living in remote areas. Accordingly,
the government is developing modern and quality healthcare infrastructure at primary
health centres in peripheral regions. He said the government has been consistently
working to improve the quality of healthcare services and expand their reach across the
state. The number of beds in district hospitals has been significantly increased, while
outpatient department (OPD) services have been expanded at the state’s main referral
hospital, district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals and other healthcare centres. He
added that OPD services have undergone a major transformation.
The Chief Minister further stated that the new building of the Narsingarh Primary Health
Centre would be constructed at the earliest. He said the state government was
committed to completing healthcare infrastructure projects and other development
initiatives transparently and within the stipulated timeframe. He noted that the people of
Tripura had long aspired to receive better services in healthcare and other sectors.
Through planned development initiatives, the state government is working to fulfil these
aspirations and improve people’s lives.
Highlighting the development of the state’s healthcare sector, Dr. Saha said that several
shortcomings existed in the past. However, the government has been implementing
planned initiatives, including the modernisation of major referral hospitals and the
establishment of a dental college and hospital, an eye hospital, and homeopathic and
Ayurvedic colleges and hospitals. He added that specialised eye-care facilities have
also been introduced to further improve ophthalmic services. The Chief Minister said
opportunities for nursing education had also expanded in the state. The number of
MBBS seats in government and private institutions has increased to 550.
He emphasised that accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. In the past,
the state faced significant shortcomings in this area. However, the Chief Minister Jan
Arogya Yojana has helped improve access to screening and diagnosis. More than 3.60
lakh patients have undergone screening in the state over the past few years. He also
said that 100 per cent beneficiaries had received the benefits under the Pradhan Mantri
Jan Arogya Yojana. Describing the government as one committed to humanity, he
added that free meals and night-time accommodation facilities had been arranged at
GBP Hospital for patients’ attendants as well.
Health Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, who attended the programme as an honoured
guest, said improvements in healthcare infrastructure had made it considerably easier
to provide advanced medical services across the state. West Tripura Zilla Parishad
Acting Sabhadhipati Biswajit Shil attended the programme as a special guest. Former
MLAs Dr. Dilip Das and Krishnadhan Das were also present as guests of honour. Other
dignitaries present included Health Director Dr. Debashree Debbarma and West Tripura
District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar. The welcome address was delivered by West
Tripura Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shankar Chakraborty, while Jan Arogya Samiti
Chairperson Sheila Das Sen delivered the vote of thanks.
ICA
