Tripura CM Manik Saha announces plans to establish a state-of-the-art medical hub to boost healthcare infrastructure. New initiatives include tertiary eye care, organ transplants, and drug de-addiction centres. The government aims to reduce dependency on out-of-state treatment and ensure universal health coverage for all Tripura residents.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Tuesday announced that the Tripura government has undertaken an ambitious plan to develop a medical hub in the state, aiming to ensure comprehensive healthcare services and minimize the necessity for patients to seek treatment outside the state. The announcement came while he was addressing a Doctors’ Day function, where he outlined multiple initiatives designed to boost healthcare infrastructure and services across the state.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the Health and Family Welfare portfolio, emphasized that significant steps are being taken to develop treatment facilities for all kinds of diseases, from common ailments to complex surgeries and organ transplants. “Tripura has already made substantial progress, but we are aiming higher. We are working towards building a full-fledged medical hub that will serve not only our own people but also patients from neighbouring regions,” said Dr. Saha.
One of the major developments he highlighted is the creation of a Super Speciality Block at the state-run Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital. Built at a cost of Rs 250 crore, this facility is expected to provide advanced medical care, including specialized treatment in cardiology, neurology, and oncology.
Currently, Tripura boasts three medical colleges, including a private institution, collectively offering 400 medical seats. The state also houses a 63-bed dental college and several nursing institutes, reflecting its commitment to medical education and workforce development. Being a dental surgeon himself, CM Saha underlined the importance of quality education in healthcare to sustain the evolving demands of medical services.
A major addition to the state’s healthcare network will be a 100-bed tertiary eye hospital, which Dr. Saha said would soon be established to cater to the growing need for specialized eye care. In a parallel move, all district hospitals will be upgraded with the required infrastructure and skilled manpower to enhance their capacity to treat patients locally.
To ensure affordable access to quality healthcare, the state has launched the Tripura Chief Minister Jan Arogya Yojana (TCMJAY). “There is no income cap under this scheme. Each family in Tripura is entitled to annual health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh,” Dr. Saha said. He added that this scheme is aligned with the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and aims to cover every citizen of the state.
Tripura has already made progress in the field of organ transplantation. “We have successfully initiated kidney transplants, and are in talks with reputed health institutions to start liver and bone marrow transplants soon,” said the Chief Minister.
Apart from medical infrastructure, Dr. Saha also addressed the growing concern of substance abuse in the state. Reaffirming his government’s commitment to make Tripura drug-free, he called on citizens, civil society, and law enforcement agencies to work collectively to root out this menace.
On this front, the Centre has extended its support. The Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has sanctioned Rs 198 crore for the establishment of a special drug de-addiction centre at Bishramganj in Sepahijala district. In addition, the state has approved the setting up of drug de-addiction centres in all eight districts, each to be funded with Rs 20 crore.
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Dr. Saha also noted that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the Tripura government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward drugs and narcotics trade. “This is a war we must win—for our youth, for our families, and for the future of Tripura,” he stated.
The series of initiatives announced underscore the state government’s multi-pronged approach to strengthening public health—combining infrastructure, accessibility, affordability, and awareness. With these efforts, Tripura is poised to become a leading healthcare destination in the North-East.
