The collaboration between AIIMS New Delhi and the Government of Tripura under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October 2025 came under comprehensive review this week, with healthcare experts lauding the state’s rapid implementation of reforms and innovative, citizen-focused healthcare initiatives.
A high-level virtual review meeting was held at the State Secretariat under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and Health Secretary Kiran Gitte. The meeting was attended by senior health officials, including Dr. Debashree Debbarma, Director of Health Services; Prof. (Dr.) Abhijit Dutta, Director of Medical Education; and representatives from Agartala Government Medical College and GBP Hospital. AIIMS was represented by former Director and current NITI Aayog member Prof. (Dr.) M. Srinivas and Prof. (Dr.) Agarwal.
During the review, the AIIMS expert team expressed appreciation for Tripura’s significant progress in strengthening healthcare delivery systems. Particular emphasis was placed on the expansion of telemedicine services, which has substantially reduced the need for patients to seek treatment outside the state. The experts also commended improvements in hospital infrastructure, emergency care services, intensive care units, and digital healthcare management.
The integration of Tripura’s patient feedback platform, the ‘Mera Hospital’ app, with AIIMS’ ‘Santusht’ application was highlighted as a notable step towards enhancing patient satisfaction and service quality monitoring.
Child health indicators emerged as another major focus area. Officials reported that Tripura has successfully reduced its infant mortality rate to 12 per 1,000 live births—significantly lower than the national average of 24. AIIMS experts encouraged the state to intensify efforts to bring the figure into single digits. A follow-up meeting involving hospital administrators, AIIMS specialists, and officials from the National Rural Health Mission Directorate has been scheduled next month to chart the next phase of interventions.
The review also underscored advancements in medical education, including the establishment of new academic departments, faculty development programmes, skill enhancement courses, and service rule reforms. AIIMS experts recommended additional measures to make careers in medical education more attractive and support long-term talent retention.
Concluding the session, AIIMS representatives praised Tripura’s commitment to inclusive healthcare transformation, describing the state as an emerging model of innovation, efficiency, and citizen-centric governance in Northeast India.
