Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha met Union Health Minister JP Nadda in New Delhi to seek central funds for new medical facilities, including a medical college in Dhalai district, a tertiary eye hospital, and an immunology lab in Agartala.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Tuesday met Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda in New Delhi to discuss the state’s ongoing and upcoming healthcare projects. The meeting, held at a crucial time when Tripura is striving to enhance its medical infrastructure, focused on the need for central assistance to expedite several healthcare initiatives.
According to a senior official from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the discussion primarily revolved around setting up a new medical college at Kulai in Dhalai district, one of Tripura’s aspirational districts. The proposed college is expected to be established on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis, reflecting the state government’s push for healthcare accessibility in remote regions.
Dr. Saha, who also holds the Health and Family Welfare portfolio, emphasized the importance of upgrading the existing healthcare framework in Tripura. He informed the Union Minister about the state’s plan to strengthen tertiary care services by setting up a Tertiary Ophthalmology Hospital in Agartala and an Immunology Laboratory for Organ Transplant Services at the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister sought financial assistance for procuring advanced medical instruments for the Super Speciality Block at AGMC. The move aims to modernize diagnostic and treatment capabilities, bringing specialized healthcare services closer to citizens.
In addition to infrastructure development, Dr. Saha requested additional funds for the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY) to help the state settle pending claims and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services to beneficiaries. The Chief Minister also highlighted the state government’s efforts to improve the medical education system, focusing on expanding the availability of MBBS and BDS seats.
Tripura currently houses three medical colleges — Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC), Tripura Medical College (TMC), and Tripura Santiniketan Medical College (TSMC). Among these, TSMC operates privately, while TMC functions under a state government-constituted society.
Dr. Saha, himself a dental surgeon, said that the state has made remarkable progress in recent years. “Earlier, there were very few MBBS seats in Tripura. Now, the total has reached around 400 across three colleges,” he said.
He further noted that the Government Dental College, which began with 50 seats, now accommodates 63 students. “We are trying to increase the seat capacity of AGMC. For 2025–26, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 150 MBBS seats, including 118 for Tripura students, 22 for central government nominees, and **10 for students from the Northeast region,” Dr. Saha stated.
Currently, around 525 students from different academic years are pursuing MBBS degrees at AGMC. This expansion reflects the state’s determination to strengthen its pool of medical professionals and reduce dependency on external healthcare facilities.
After the meeting, Dr. Saha shared an update on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Met Hon’ble Union Health Minister & National President of BJP Shri JP Nadda Ji in New Delhi today. Discussed key healthcare initiatives for Tripura, including:
Setting up a Medical College at Kulai, Dhalai (Aspirational District) on PPP basis
Establishment of a Tertiary Ophthalmology Hospital at Agartala
Establishment of an Immunology Lab for Organ Transplant services at AGMC & GBP Hospital
Requested for funds for advanced medical instruments at the Super Speciality Block, AGMC
Requested for additional funds for AB PMJAY to settle the pending claims.”
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The meeting between Dr. Saha and JP Nadda signals Tripura’s growing emphasis on healthcare reform, particularly in rural and underserved regions. If approved, these initiatives are expected to enhance the quality of medical education, strengthen tertiary healthcare, and ensure equitable access to advanced medical services across the state.
