Govt planning to start heart transplant in state: Tripura CM

Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha on Friday informed that the state government is planning to conduct heart transplants at GB Pant Hospital, for which talks with AIIMS are underway and also an MoU signed with Mohan Foundation.

He also informed that plans are there to introduce courses in super-specialty at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GB Pant Hospital.

Dr Saha said this while addressing the 21st Foundation Day of AGMC and GB Pant Hospital at the KLS Auditorium, AGMC and GB Pant Hospital, Agartala.

“There were so many people who have worked tirelessly behind AGMC and GB Pant Hospital. On this day, we must remember their contribution. Agartala Government Medical College has secured a special place in the country. We are working to address the shortcomings faced by students,” said Dr. Saha.

He mentioned that earlier, there were very few MBBS seats, but now the number is around 400.

“There was only one seat for BDS. Now we have a Government Dental College which started with 50 seats and currently has 63 seats. We are trying to increase the seat capacity of AGMC. For 2025–26, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has given permission for 150 seats—of which 118 are for Tripura students, 22 for central government nominees, and the remaining 10 for the North East Region,” said Dr Saha.

Dr Saha, who is also the Health Minister of the state, said that currently, around 525 students are pursuing MBBS at AGMC.

The college started in 2005, and in 2010 the first batch passed out. So far, 1,484 students have completed MBBS, among whom 1,270 are from the state who passed from AGMC.

“When there was a shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas, we deployed MBBS graduates from Tripura Medical College and AGMC to those areas, which contributed to the development of the health department. In the last nine years, around 391 students have completed post-graduation. We are also considering and have held meetings with officials to start super-specialty courses in AGMC,” he informed.

He further stated that there is a shortage of beds in GB Pant Hospital, which currently has 727 beds, reduced from 1,413. Plans are in place to increase 100 more beds for patients.

“We have also successfully conducted three kidney transplants. Additionally, we have signed an MoU with the Mohan Foundation. We are planning to conduct liver and heart transplants as well. Talks have been held with AIIMS regarding these initiatives. We are emphasizing telemedicine, and the necessary file has already been signed. People have faith in AGMC and GB Pant Hospital. We have set up a cardiac care centre, and work is almost complete in the remaining districts,” he said.

Secretary Kiran Gitte, Director of Health Services Dr. Tapan Majumder, Prof. Dr. H.P. Sharma, Director of Medical Education, Dr. Anjan Das, Director of Family Welfare and Preventive Medicine, Dr. Shankar Chakraborty, Medical Superintendent of AGMC and GB Pant Hospital, and Dr. Anup Kumar Saha, Principal of AGMC, were present at the event.