Tripura CM Dr. Manik Saha urged stronger public awareness, expanded screening, and vaccination to eliminate hepatitis while inaugurating the World Hepatitis Day programme in Agartala. The state aims to build a hepatitis-free Tripura within the next four years through coordinated healthcare initiatives.
Stressing that hepatitis continues to remain one of the world’s major public health challenges, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Monday called for greater public awareness, expanded screening programmes, widespread vaccination, and timely scientific treatment to eliminate the disease from the state. He expressed confidence that with collective efforts, Tripura could become hepatitis-free within the next four years.
The Chief Minister was speaking while inaugurating the World Hepatitis Day observance programme held at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala. The event was jointly organised by the Hepatitis Foundation of Tripura, the National Health Mission (NHM), and the Department of Health & Family Welfare.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Saha said hepatitis remains a silent but serious health threat across the world. He noted that nearly 300 million people globally are infected with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses, making the disease a major concern for public health authorities. He explained that World Hepatitis Day is observed on the birth anniversary of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who discovered the Hepatitis B virus and developed the Hepatitis B vaccine.
The Chief Minister emphasised that awareness is the strongest weapon against hepatitis. “Hepatitis is still a significant public health challenge. However, by increasing awareness, taking preventive measures on time, ensuring vaccination, and providing proper scientific treatment, we can prevent its spread and save countless lives,” he said.
He urged citizens to adopt healthy lifestyles, eliminate misconceptions and social stigma surrounding hepatitis, and actively participate in awareness campaigns. According to him, only scientific treatment and sustained public awareness can effectively control the spread of the disease.
Dr. Saha said the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has launched several initiatives to make the country hepatitis-free, and the Tripura Government is fully committed to implementing similar programmes across the state. He assured that the government would continue extending every possible support to strengthen hepatitis prevention and treatment services.
Highlighting the state’s healthcare achievements, the Chief Minister said Tripura has significantly strengthened its medical infrastructure over the past few years. The number of referral patients moving from subdivisions to district hospitals and from district hospitals to the state’s premier referral hospitals has reduced considerably due to improved healthcare facilities at the local level.
He informed that the state currently has nine super-speciality blocks, while advanced medical services are being provided at Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital (GBP Hospital). He also announced that a Government Homeopathy Medical College would soon be established and administrative work for the proposed Medical University would begin shortly.
The Chief Minister further stated that the government is implementing healthcare projects with the long-term objective of ensuring better medical services for future generations. He highlighted the success of the “Sustha Shoishab Sustha Koishore” programme, which has achieved 100 percent success in the state. He also noted that beneficiaries are receiving comprehensive healthcare support under the Jan Arogya Yojana.
Calling for intensified vaccination drives, Dr. Saha said hepatitis immunisation should reach every corner of the state. He stressed that frontline health workers serving in villages and urban areas should receive advanced training to improve their skills and strengthen disease prevention efforts.
“The government is placing greater emphasis on vaccination, awareness, and early screening to eliminate hepatitis. Everyone must work together to overcome existing challenges and build a healthier society,” he said.
The Chief Minister appreciated the awareness initiatives undertaken by the Hepatitis Foundation of Tripura and appealed to people from every section of society to cooperate in achieving the vision of a hepatitis-free Tripura.
Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, attending the programme as Guest of Honour, said the state government is committed to meeting the challenge of eliminating hepatitis and has increased its focus on organising vaccination camps across Tripura.
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Dr. Pradip Bhowmik, Director of the Tripura Hepatitis Foundation, delivered an informative presentation on hepatitis prevention and treatment. Other dignitaries present included Saju Vaheed A, Mission Director of the National Health Mission, Tripura, and Dr. Debashree Debbarma, Director of Health Services.
The welcome address was delivered by Dibakar Debnath, General Secretary of the Tripura Hepatitis Foundation, while Dr. N.L. Bhowmik, President of the Foundation, delivered the vote of thanks.
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During the programme, the Chief Minister released the latest newsletter of the Hepatitis Foundation of Tripura and presented prizes to the winners of an essay competition organised to mark World Hepatitis Day, reaffirming the state’s commitment to promoting awareness and building a healthier, hepatitis-free Tripura.
