Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha has announced the state government’s ambitious plan to initiate heart transplant procedures at GB Pant Hospital in Agartala. The announcement was made during the 21st Foundation Day celebrations of the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GB Pant Hospital, held at the KLS Auditorium on Friday. Dr. Saha, who also holds the health portfolio, said that the state is in talks with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for technical support, and has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Mohan Foundation—an acclaimed organisation promoting organ donation and transplant procedures in India. This step, he said, is part of the state’s broader effort to introduce cardiac and liver transplants and build robust super-speciality healthcare services within Tripura.
“Our vision is clear—we want AGMC and GB Pant Hospital to become centres of excellence, not only for Tripura but for the entire northeastern region. We owe this progress to those who laid the foundation of these institutions,” the Chief Minister said while addressing the gathering.The event marked a significant moment for the state’s medical fraternity, with Dr. Saha highlighting other key achievements and future goals. Among them is the proposal to launch super-speciality medical courses at AGMC, which he said would elevate the standard of medical education in the state and encourage local students to pursue advanced training within Tripura.He also spoke about the recent increase in MBBS seats in the state, a critical step toward addressing the shortage of doctors, especially in rural and remote areas. For the academic year 2025–26, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has sanctioned 150 MBBS seats for AGMC. Of these, 118 are reserved for state students, 22 for central nominees, and 10 for candidates from other northeastern states.
“Today, AGMC has 525 MBBS students enrolled. Since its establishment in 2005, it has produced nearly 1,500 doctors, with the majority—over 1,270—belonging to Tripura. Many of them have gone on to serve in rural health centres, strengthening our grassroots health system,” Dr. Saha shared.Addressing infrastructure challenges, he acknowledged the reduction in bed capacity at GB Pant Hospital—from 1,413 beds previously to 727 now—but assured that 100 more beds will be added soon. Despite the limitations, the hospital has already carried out three successful kidney transplants and is preparing for liver and heart transplants with technical assistance from AIIMS. Telemedicine is also set to get a boost in the state. Dr. Saha said approvals have been received to roll out telemedicine services across Tripura, making specialist consultations accessible in even the remotest corners. “Our cardiac care centre is already functioning, and similar facilities in other districts are under development,” he added.
