Tripura achieves a historic milestone in cardiac care as AGMC & GBP Hospital successfully performs the state’s first minimally invasive congenital heart defect closure without open-heart surgery. The free Ayushman Bharat treatment saved an 11-year-old boy and strengthened advanced public healthcare services.
Tripura’s public healthcare sector has achieved a historic milestone after doctors at the Cardiology Department of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital successfully treated a complex congenital heart defect without performing open-heart surgery for the first time in the state’s medical history.
The landmark achievement has brought new hope for patients suffering from congenital heart diseases, proving that advanced cardiac procedures can now be performed within Tripura without requiring patients to travel outside the state.
The beneficiary of this pioneering treatment is 11-year-old Arvik Debbarma, a resident of Teliamura block in Khowai district. Since birth, Arvik had been living with a congenital hole in his heart, a condition that caused persistent breathing difficulties, recurrent chest infections, and significantly affected his daily activities and education.
After being admitted to GBP Hospital in March 2026, the young patient underwent detailed clinical examinations, advanced diagnostic tests, and continuous medical observation. Following a comprehensive evaluation, doctors decided that the defect could be treated through a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure instead of conventional open-heart surgery.
On June 10, 2026, a highly skilled team led by Dr. Anindya Sundar Trivedi, Head of the Cardiology Department and Interventional Cardiologist, successfully performed the complex procedure. Using blood vessels as the access route to the heart, the team closed the congenital defect through an advanced catheter intervention. The intricate operation lasted nearly two hours and was completed successfully without complications.
Following the procedure, Arvik made a remarkable recovery. His breathing difficulties subsided, recurrent chest infections disappeared, and his overall health improved significantly. Doctors monitored his progress over the following days before discharging him in good health on June 19, 2026.
The historic success was made possible through the coordinated efforts of an experienced multidisciplinary medical team. Cardiologists Dr. Rakesh Das and Dr. Manna Bhattacharjee played key roles during the intervention, while the pediatric care team led by Dr. Sribas Das ensured comprehensive pre- and post-operative management. The anesthesiology team, comprising Dr. Rimjhim Chakma and Dr. Manimoy Debbarma, provided critical support throughout the procedure. The dedicated Cath Lab professionals and technical staff also contributed significantly to the successful outcome.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the treatment is that the entire procedure was provided completely free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. Similar procedures in private hospitals generally cost between ₹6 lakh and ₹8 lakh, making the successful intervention a major financial relief for the patient’s family.
Medical experts have described the achievement as a landmark moment in Tripura’s healthcare journey. The successful procedure demonstrates that AGMC and GBP Hospital now possess the infrastructure, modern Cath Lab technology, and specialized expertise required to perform world-class cardiac interventions locally.
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Health officials stated that this breakthrough reflects the government’s continued commitment to strengthening public healthcare infrastructure and ensuring affordable, accessible, and high-quality medical treatment for every citizen. The achievement is expected to inspire greater confidence in Tripura’s government healthcare system while opening new possibilities for treating complex cardiac cases within the state itself.
