Tripura's 1,110 Arogya Mandirs: CM Saha on healthcare network push
Synopsis
Tripura has quietly been building one of the Northeast's most expansive primary healthcare grids — 1,110 Arogya Mandirs and counting. Chief Minister Manik Saha's data point is striking: out-of-state medical referrals have fallen 80% in three years, from 555 in 2023 to 161 so far in 2026, suggesting the infrastructure push is translating into real patient outcomes.
Key Takeaways
Tripura has established 1,110 Arogya Mandirs across the state as of 25 September 2026 .
Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated a ₹2.10 crore , 12-room polyclinic at Arundhutinagar , Agartala.
Five additional urban Arogya Mandirs were virtually inaugurated in West Tripura district .
Out-of-state patient referrals have dropped by 80% — from 555 in 2023 to 161 in 2026 .
A new telemedicine studio is planned at GBP Hospital to strengthen remote healthcare services.
The state is also developing an Integrated Health Management System (IHMS) and exploring a health tourism hub vision.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on 25 September 2026 said the state government has already established 1,110 Arogya Mandirs across the state as part of a sustained drive to deliver basic medical services at the grassroots level. Speaking after inaugurating a newly constructed polyclinic at Arundhutinagar on the outskirts of Agartala, Saha underscored that healthcare infrastructure upgrades are under way in both rural and urban areas.
New Facilities Inaugurated
The 12-room urban polyclinic at Arundhutinagar was built at a cost of ₹2.10 crore. On the same day, Chief Minister Saha virtually inaugurated five additional urban Arogya Mandirs located at Radhanagar, Jagaharimura, Ujan Abhaynagar, Dhaleshwar, and Ramakrishna Shivalaya Ashram — all in West Tripura district. Saha, who also holds the Health and Family Welfare portfolio, conducted a walkthrough of the Arundhutinagar facility after the ceremony.
Referral Numbers Down 80 Per Cent
The Chief Minister cited a sharp drop in out-of-state medical referrals as evidence of improving in-state capacity. 'The number of patients referred from the state to outside the state has reduced by 80 per cent. In 2023, the number of referred patients was 555, while in 2026, the number of patients referred so far is 161,' Saha said. He added that the state's goal is to ensure patients no longer need to travel outside Tripura for quality treatment.
Technology and Remote Healthcare
The Chief Minister highlighted the role of telemedicine and the e-Sanjivani platform in extending healthcare access to remote communities. To further strengthen these services, a state-of-the-art telemedicine studio is planned at GBP Hospital. Satellite health centres in the hilly areas of the state were also credited with serving populations in difficult-to-reach regions, supported by doctors, health workers, and ASHA workers in rural hospitals.
Integrated Management and Health Tourism
Saha said the state has developed an Integrated Health Management System (IHMS) to improve medical administration, aligning with the framework set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Additionally, the government is pursuing ambitions to position Tripura as a health tourism hub by upgrading both its tourism and medical infrastructure in tandem.
Officials Present
The inauguration was attended by Rajya Sabha Member Rajib Bhattacharya, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar, State Director of National Health Mission Saju Wahid A, West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar, Director of Health Department Debashree Debbarma, and other officials. The state's expanding health network is expected to see further additions as the government pushes to close the urban-rural service gap before the end of the financial year.
Point of View
And it deserves scrutiny alongside celebration. The number captures formal referrals, not patients who travel out of pocket without a referral, meaning the true burden of outmigration for healthcare could be higher. Still, 1,110 Arogya Mandirs across a small, hilly, ethnically diverse state with difficult terrain is a substantial rollout. The real test is whether these centres are staffed, stocked, and actually visited — infrastructure numbers are easy to count, utilisation rates are harder to fudge.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Arogya Mandirs has Tripura set up so far?
Tripura has set up 1,110 Arogya Mandirs across the state as of September 2026, according to Chief Minister Manik Saha. These centres are intended to provide basic medical services promptly to both rural and urban populations.
What is the significance of the Arundhutinagar polyclinic inauguration?
The 12-room urban polyclinic at Arundhutinagar, on the outskirts of Agartala, was constructed at a cost of ₹2.10 crore and represents part of Tripura's broader drive to upgrade district and referral hospital infrastructure. Chief Minister Saha also virtually inaugurated five additional urban Arogya Mandirs in West Tripura on the same day.
By how much have out-of-state patient referrals fallen in Tripura?
Out-of-state patient referrals have fallen by 80%, dropping from 555 in 2023 to 161 so far in 2026, according to Chief Minister Manik Saha. The state government says improved in-state infrastructure is the primary driver of this decline.
What technology initiatives is Tripura using to improve healthcare?
Tripura is deploying a telemedicine system, the e-Sanjivani platform, and an Integrated Health Management System (IHMS) to improve service delivery. A dedicated telemedicine studio is also being set up at GBP Hospital to further expand remote consultation capacity.
What is Tripura's health tourism hub ambition?
Chief Minister Saha has said the state is working to develop Tripura as a health tourism hub by simultaneously upgrading its tourism and medical infrastructure. No specific timeline or investment figure was announced at the inauguration event.
