Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi/Agartala
New Delhi/Agartala, Jun 30: The Centre has approved the supply of advanced medical equipment, including 48 artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled portable X-ray devices, to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Saha announced on Monday.
Saha, who also holds the Health and Family Welfare portfolio, said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in New Delhi between the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Tripura Health and Family Welfare Department for the supply, installation and operation of modern diagnostic equipment under the Prime Minister's Fund.
According to the Chief Minister, the package includes 48 AI-enabled portable handheld X-ray machines, three Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners and three Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) mammography systems.
The equipment will be installed at district hospitals in Dhalai, North Tripura and Gomati districts, enhancing diagnostic facilities and improving access to quality healthcare services across the state.
Saha thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda for extending support towards upgrading Tripura's healthcare infrastructure.
In another major boost to the state's health sector, the Union Ministry of AYUSH has approved the establishment of the Tripura Government Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital at Udaipur in Gomati district.
The institution has been cleared to admit 60 undergraduate students for the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) programme from the 2026-27 academic session.
Welcoming the decision, Saha said the approval by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) would strengthen Ayurvedic education in the state, promote traditional Indian medicine and create new educational opportunities for aspiring students.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his continued support in expanding healthcare and medical education across the country.
The approval was conveyed in a letter issued by Dr. Mukul Patel, President of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board for the Indian System of Medicine under the NCISM, to Tripura Health Secretary Kiran Gitte.
The communication stated that the proposal submitted by the Tripura government to establish the Ayurvedic medical college with an annual intake of 60 BAMS students had been accepted, subject to compliance with the prescribed statutory norms and regulatory requirements.
With the addition of the new Ayurvedic institution, Tripura is expected to further expand its medical education ecosystem.
At present, the state has three medical colleges offering around 550 MBBS seats and nearly 200 postgraduate medical seats. These include the government-run Agartala Government Medical College and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, the society-managed Tripura Medical College and Dr B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Teaching Hospital, and the privately managed Tripura Santiniketan Medical College and Hospital.
Tripura also has a government dental college with an annual intake capacity of 63 students.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government remains committed to strengthening both medical education and healthcare infrastructure to ensure better medical services for the people of Tripura.