Tripura has reduced out-of-state medical referrals by two-thirds through major healthcare reforms. Health Secretary Kiran Gitte highlighted increased trust in GB Pant, IGM, and Regional Cancer Centre, improved infrastructure, higher state budget allocation, AIIMS-backed action plans, and new hospital services aimed at strengthening Tripura’s healthcare system and patient care.
The healthcare sector in Tripura has witnessed remarkable improvements over the past few years, resulting in a dramatic decline in out-of-state referrals for advanced medical treatment. State Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, addressing media persons at the Agartala Press Club on Sunday, revealed that referrals have dropped to one-third of what they were before 2018, reflecting the success of various government interventions aimed at strengthening the health infrastructure.
“Before 2018, on an average, around 2,000 patients were being referred out of the state annually for specialized and advanced treatment. In the last three years, however, this number has reduced significantly,” Gitte said. He pointed out that in 2022-23, referrals stood at 778, while in 2023-24, the figure dropped to 722. In the last financial year, only 690 patients were referred out. “This clearly indicates that the referrals have fallen by nearly two-thirds compared to earlier figures,” he added.
Faith in State Healthcare Institutions
Highlighting the growing trust of citizens in government healthcare institutions, the Health Secretary stated that 98 percent of patients now rely on facilities such as GB Pant Hospital, IGM Hospital, and the Regional Cancer Centre. “The government of Tripura has allocated a budget worth Rs 2,000 crore for the health sector, which accounts for nearly 3 percent of the state’s GDP. This is notably higher than the national average, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring quality healthcare services for the people,” Gitte emphasized.
He further informed that GB Pant Hospital currently has around 1,400 beds, while IGM Hospital has 600 beds and the Regional Cancer Centre houses over 200 beds. Together, these institutions cater to nearly two lakh indoor patients annually. In terms of outpatient department (OPD) services, the combined yearly patient load ranges between 12 and 15 lakhs. “At GB Pant Hospital alone, more than 2,000 OPD patients are attended daily. IGM Hospital handles around 1,400 to 1,500 OPD cases, while the Regional Cancer Centre sees between 600 and 700 patients daily,” he added.
Tripura’s largest government hospital, GB Pant, is also equipped with 316 intensive care unit (ICU) beds, and most super-specialty tests are now being conducted within the state, barring a few that still require external referrals.
AIIMS Delegation’s Recommendations
Speaking about the recent visit of a delegation from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Gitte said, “They have submitted their report, some parts of which are already in the public domain. Based on their recommendations, we have prepared an action plan. They have advised us to establish a couple of full-fledged departments, and we are also working to set up a special ward where patients can access paid services if they wish.”
Hospital Services and Future Plans
The Medical Superintendent of GB Pant Hospital, Dr. Sankar Chakraborty, also addressed the press conference, outlining the hospital’s recent developments and the new in-patient department (IPD) services set to be launched soon. Senior doctors from IGM Hospital and various departments of GB Pant Hospital shared details of achievements in their respective specialties.
All officials and medical experts present at the briefing urged citizens to maintain their faith in the state’s healthcare services and avoid being misled by misinformation. The Health Secretary particularly appealed to media representatives to report responsibly on hospital affairs, citing several recent factually incorrect reports that created unnecessary confusion among the public.
Tackling Hospital Security Concerns
Acknowledging rising incidents of theft and security lapses in hospitals, Gitte informed that measures were already underway to address the problem. “Private security guards deployed in hospitals are currently undergoing specialized training with the help of the police training institute to maintain order and improve vigilance inside hospital premises,” he said.
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The press conference highlighted the state government’s proactive steps in upgrading healthcare infrastructure, increasing trust in local institutions, and significantly reducing dependence on outside referrals for advanced medical care. Officials reiterated their vision of making Tripura self-reliant in healthcare services and ensuring that people receive quality treatment within the state itself.
