Agartala, May 13 (AHN) Manik Saha on Wednesday said the Tripura government has accorded top priority to improving and expanding healthcare services across the state, leading to an 80 per cent reduction in the number of patients referred outside the state for treatment.

The Chief Minister made the remarks while inaugurating the International Nurses Day celebration organised by the Health Department at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala.

Paying tribute to Florence Nightingale, Saha described her as a symbol of humanitarian service that elevated the nursing profession through compassion and dedication.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the Health portfolio, said the state government has initiated several major healthcare projects to further strengthen medical services and ensure better treatment facilities within Tripura.

“A medical university will soon be established in the state. More super-speciality hospitals will also come up. A new medical college will be set up in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council area, along with a new eye hospital,” he said.

Saha, who is himself a dental surgeon, said these initiatives aim to reduce the need for patients to travel outside the state for advanced treatment.

Highlighting the role of nurses in healthcare delivery, the Chief Minister said nurses are the backbone of the medical system, and their contribution is indispensable.

“The uniform of nurses is a matter of pride and responsibility. The more challenges they face, the more experienced and skilled they become, earning greater trust from patients,” he said.

Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, Saha said doctors and nurses served society like warriors during the crisis.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining healthcare workers' health and well-being.

The Chief Minister further noted that nursing education and employment opportunities have expanded significantly in the state.

He informed that 153 nursing personnel have already been appointed, while recruitment for another 100 posts will be undertaken soon.

Kiran Gitte, Health and Family Welfare Secretary; Debashree Debbarma, Health Director; Anjan Das, Director of Family Welfare and Preventive Medicine; H.P. Sharma, Director of Medical Education; and other senior officials were present at the event.