Tripura to operationalise Agartala Civil Hospital next month; Major push for healthcare infrastructure
Agartala Jun, e 26
In a significant boost to Tripura's healthcare infrastructure, the state government is set to operationalise the newly constructed Agartala Civil Hospital near Jackson Gate from next month, Health Secretary Kiran Gitte announced on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat, Gitte highlighted a series of initiatives undertaken by the government led by Chief Minister Manik Saha to strengthen healthcare facilities, services and human resources across the state.
Chief Minister Manik Saha laid the foundation stone for the new building of Sepahijala District Hospital. Spanning nearly 14 acres and built at an estimated cost of ₹46 crore, the new hospital marks a significant milestone for the 15-year-old district.
Gitte said the state government is simultaneously upgrading healthcare infrastructure at Jirania, Mohanpur and Jampuijala Sub-Divisional Hospitals, as well as Gomati District Hospital. Preparatory steps have also been initiated for the construction of a district hospital at Dharmanagar in North Tripura district.
The Health Secretary informed that 214 doctors were recently recruited, of whom 160 have already joined the service.
To fill the remaining vacancies, the government has initiated the process of recruiting an additional 40 doctors from the waiting list. Approval has also been secured from the Finance Department for further recruitment of medical professionals.
Highlighting improvements in healthcare delivery, Gitte said referral cases from Tripura to hospitals outside the state have declined by nearly 80 per cent, reflecting enhanced treatment facilities within the state.
He acknowledged the shortage of radiologists at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital and said the government is working to introduce tele-radiology services to address the gap.
The upcoming Agartala Civil Hospital will provide healthcare services in two shifts. The government is also considering introducing two-shift service systems in selected departments of GBP Hospital and Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital to improve patient access and reduce waiting time.
Speaking on the state's tuberculosis control programme, National Health Mission (NHM) Director Saju Wahid said Tripura is progressing steadily towards TB elimination. He outlined various measures being implemented to strengthen the detection, treatment and monitoring of tuberculosis cases across the state.
Health Department Director Dr. Debasri Debbarma and GBP Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Bidhan Goswami were also present at the press conference.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative but we need to see ground reality. My cousin from Sepahijala says the old district hospital was in bad shape. Hope the new ₹46 crore building comes with proper equipment and doctors. Infrastructure alone won't help without quality staff.
Impressive to see healthcare infrastructure improving in the northeast. The 80% decline in referral cases outside Tripura is a significant achievement. Shows that with proper planning, even smaller states can reduce medical tourism to metros.
I'm a doctor from Assam and I must say, Tripura is doing better than many larger states. But radiologist shortage is a real issue everywhere. Tele-radiology is a great idea but requires high-speed internet in rural areas. Hope the government has a plan for last-mile connectivity.
Great to see focus on TB elimination too. With proper detection and treatment, this is achievable. The northeast has always been neglected in healthcare, so these steps are commendable. Hope other states take notes.
While the number of doctors recruited is good, 160 out of 214 joining suggests issues with retention. Rural postings in the northeast are tough due to lack of amenities. The government should also focus on creating attractive conditions for doctors to stay long-term.
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