Tripura Health Secretary Kiran Gitte visited the Amarpur Sub-Divisional Hospital on Saturday to assess the existing healthcare infrastructure and review measures aimed at strengthening medical services for people in rural and remote areas.

During the inspection, Gitte visited different wards and interacted with officials to take stock of the hospital's facilities and day-to-day functioning. Director of Health Services Dr Debashree Debbarma, Gomati District Magistrate Rinku Lather, Chief Medical Officer of Gomati district Dr Kamal Reang and other senior officials accompanied him.

Speaking to the media after the visit, the Health Secretary said Amarpur hospital had witnessed considerable expansion of its infrastructure and services in recent years. He noted that most diagnostic tests, which were previously sent to outside agencies, are now being conducted at the hospital.

The facility currently offers digital X-ray, ultrasonography, ECG, an upgraded operation theatre and specialised services for mothers and children. Equipment for thyroid and CBC testing is also expected to be commissioned shortly.

Gitte said the hospital currently has seven doctors and assured that efforts would be made to strengthen the medical team with specialists, including a full-time anaesthesiologist, medicine specialist and orthopaedic specialist, along with additional junior doctors. He said the demand from the local administration would be placed before Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha.

Around 150 patients visit the hospital's outpatient department every day, while nearly 30-40 patients are referred to Udaipur or the district hospital each month. According to Gitte, the Health Department wants to bring down such referrals as far as possible by expanding specialist care and improving infrastructure at Amarpur.

With the operation theatre already functional, the Health Secretary stressed the importance of maintaining adequate blood stocks for surgeries and emergency treatment. He urged local clubs, social organisations and residents to organise regular voluntary blood donation camps.

The hospital is also moving towards a paperless healthcare system. Following the model of Agartala Civil Hospital, the Integrated Health Management System and Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) facilities are being implemented. In the coming days, patients will be able to receive prescriptions, diagnostic reports, X-ray and USG reports and discharge documents directly through WhatsApp or email.

Later, Director of Health Services Dr Debashree Debbarma chaired a review meeting at the hospital with the district health officials, doctors and programme managers. She said necessary measures would be taken to further improve services in line with the Health Secretary's directions.

She also announced that water connections to the newly constructed residential quarters for doctors and health workers would be completed shortly, after which the quarters would be handed over for use.

Gitte also appreciated the commitment of doctors and health workers who continue to serve patients even during holidays.