AIIMS recommends one-patient-one-bed policy, MNCU and PCSU units for GBP Hospital in Tripura. Major healthcare reforms include Health University, digital systems, staffing upgrades, and procurement modernization to improve patient care, efficiency, and medical infrastructure statewide.
Tripura’s healthcare system is poised for a significant overhaul following a comprehensive assessment by a team of specialists from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The expert panel has submitted a detailed report to the state government, recommending structural, administrative, and technological reforms aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.
Chief Minister Manik Saha, who also holds the health portfolio, informed the state assembly about the findings in response to an unstarred question raised by a senior Congress MLA. The report, appended to the official reply, highlights critical areas requiring immediate attention, including hospital infrastructure, staffing, and governance.
Key Healthcare Reforms Proposed
Among the most crucial recommendations is the strict implementation of a one-patient-one-bed policy to prevent overcrowding and improve patient care standards. The AIIMS team also stressed the urgent need to establish advanced healthcare units such as the Maternal Newborn Care Unit (MNCU) and the Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Unit (PCSU), particularly at major institutions like GBP Hospital and AGMC.
The expert committee, comprising representatives from AIIMS and the Tripura government, conducted extensive inspections of key health facilities, including AGMC & GBP Hospital and IGM Hospital. The team evaluated multiple aspects of service delivery and proposed a series of reforms to modernize and streamline operations.
Proposal for Health University and Administrative Reforms
A landmark suggestion in the report is the establishment of a dedicated Health University in Tripura, which would oversee medical, dental, nursing, and paramedical education across the state. The committee also recommended bringing all medical college personnel and affiliated hospitals under a unified administrative framework, managed through the Directorate of Medical Education.
To improve efficiency, the report emphasizes enhancing administrative and financial autonomy of healthcare institutions. This would allow faster decision-making and reduce bureaucratic delays. The introduction of new departments such as Hospital Administration, Emergency Medicine, and Trauma Surgery in medical colleges has also been proposed.
Addressing Human Resource Shortages
The AIIMS panel highlighted a pressing shortage of skilled healthcare professionals in the state. To address this, it recommended making a three-year Senior Residency mandatory for postgraduate doctors. Additionally, MBBS doctors should be deployed in critical departments such as emergency, trauma, and anaesthesia services to strengthen capacity.
The report also calls for adherence to Indian Nursing Council norms, particularly maintaining appropriate nurse-patient ratios in intensive care units. Innovative recruitment strategies have been suggested to attract specialist doctors and improve retention.
Strengthening Hospital Services
To enhance patient care, the committee proposed implementing duty rosters involving faculty from multiple departments in emergency units. It also stressed making all operation theatres fully functional and filling vacancies in anaesthesia departments.
The strict enforcement of the one bed-one patient policy remains central to improving hospital conditions. The establishment of specialized units like MNCU and PCSU is expected to significantly improve maternal and child healthcare outcomes in the state.
Modernizing Procurement and Digital Systems
A major focus of the report is the modernization of procurement systems. The panel recommended adopting a centralized procurement mechanism, rate contracts, and incorporating clauses such as penalties and risk purchase in tenders. The use of e-procurement and IT-enabled supply chain management systems has been strongly advocated.
The preparation of an Essential Drug List is also underway to ensure the availability of critical medicines across healthcare facilities.
In line with global healthcare trends, the committee emphasized the need for digital transformation. It proposed integrating all hospitals and medical colleges into IT-enabled health information systems, including platforms like e-Hospital, Laboratory Information Systems (LIS), and Radiology Information Systems (RIS). The introduction of a grievance redressal system similar to AIIMS’ SANTUSHT portal has also been suggested.
Government Initiatives Already Underway
The Tripura government has already initiated several steps in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with AIIMS. These include the approval of a draft bill to establish a Health University, the launch of telecommunication-based healthcare services, and the appointment of a specialist in Hospital Administration from AIIMS to oversee operations at GBP Hospital.
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Officials confirmed that batches of doctors and nurses are being sent to AIIMS for advanced training, while the implementation of remaining provisions under the MoU is progressing in phases.
With these reforms, Tripura aims to transform its healthcare system into a more efficient, patient-centric, and technologically advanced model, ensuring better outcomes and improved access to quality medical services for its citizens.
