Agartala: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has assured support for strengthening healthcare services in Tripura East Lok Sabha Constituency if the state government submits a proposal under the existing framework.
This assurance came in response to a letter from BJP MP Kriti Devi Debbarma, who represents the constituency, requesting the establishment of an AIIMS-like medical college hospital in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) region.
Minister Nadda, in his reply, noted that under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), significant strides have already been made in the northeastern region, including the establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Guwahati, Assam, which is now operational.
Additionally, the Agartala Medical College in Tripura has been upgraded with a Super Speciality Block under PMSSY’s earlier phase, completed on a Center-State cost-sharing basis.
Addressing Debbarma’s request, the minister clarified that the current phase of PMSSY does not include provisions for a new AIIMS in Tripura. However, he emphasized that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare remains open to supporting healthcare initiatives under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Nadda explained that under NHM, the Ministry provides financial and technical assistance to states for healthcare infrastructure enhancement, based on proposals included in their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs). He encouraged the Tripura Government to submit proposals for strengthening healthcare in the Tripura East constituency within the NHM framework and the state’s overall resource allocation.
This assurance signals the central government’s readiness to collaborate with the state in improving healthcare services, provided the proposals align with existing guidelines and funding structures.