Agartala, December 25, 2025: Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha on Wednesday stressed the importance of promoting health awareness among children, particularly focusing on hygiene and dental care.
Speaking at the inauguration of National Dentist Day 2025 and the annual Indian Dental Association (IDA) Tripura conference at Pragya Bhavan, he said early education on cleanliness and oral health is crucial for preventing diseases and ensuring overall well-being.
“There is no end to knowledge, no end to learning. Dentists must continuously update themselves by learning from experienced practitioners,” Dr. Saha remarked.
Highlighting the state’s advancements in healthcare infrastructure, he announced several initiatives:
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AIIMS, New Delhi, to strengthen medical services in Tripura.
Expansion of bed capacity at Medical and GBP Hospitals from 727 to 1,413.
Opening of a branch of Shija Hospital and Research Institute, Manipur, in Tripura.
Construction of a new Government Dental College building at a cost of ?202 crore with support from the Ministry of DoNER.
Increase in medical seats: MBBS to 450, PG to 93, and BDS to 63.
Establishment of a 100-bed eye hospital to enhance ophthalmic services.
Dr. Saha also highlighted the ‘Susto Saishab Susto Kaishore Abhiyan’, which now benefits 10.59 lakh children and adolescents aged 1 to 19 years. For free pediatric cardiac treatment, the state government has signed an MoU with Apollo Hospital, Chennai.
Paying tribute to Padma Bhushan Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed, the father of modern dentistry in India, Dr. Saha recognized his pioneering contributions to the field.
Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, in his welcome address, outlined key achievements in healthcare infrastructure over the past three years and emphasized the adoption of modern technology in medical services. Dr. Partha Roy Choudhury, President of IDA Tripura, also addressed the gathering.
Officials present included Dr. Debasree Debbarma (Director of Health Services), Saju Bahid A (Additional Secretary, National Health Mission), Dr. Anjan Das (Director, Family Welfare & Preventive Medicine), Dr. H.P. Sharma (Director, Medical Education), Dr. Shalu Roy (Principal, Government Dental College), and Dr. Rajesh Anil Acharya (DHS, NHM).
During the event, the Chief Minister unveiled the association’s souvenir, felicitated Dr. Gouranga Chakraborty for his contributions to dentistry, and handed over a diet kit to a patient who had fully recovered from tuberculosis as a token of encouragement.