Agartala, Aug 14: Tripura is set to strengthen its tertiary eye-care infrastructure with the construction of a 100-bed government eye hospital in Agartala, with Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha laying the foundation stone for the facility at the Capital Complex area on Friday.

The proposed hospital will come up as a modern G+4 structure and is targeted for completion within two years. It will operate under the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and is planned to provide advanced and comprehensive eye-care services to patients.

Dr. Saha described the project as an important addition to the state’s healthcare infrastructure and expressed hope that the institution would develop into one of the leading eye-care facilities in the Northeast. He also stressed the need to work towards establishing the hospital as a Centre of Excellence in eye care.

Speaking on the government’s broader healthcare initiatives, the Chief Minister said Tripura has been focusing on technology-driven healthcare and expanding digital health services in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.

According to Dr. Saha, ABHA cards have so far been generated for around 80 per cent of the state’s population, placing Tripura among the better-performing states in the country in this area.

He said the government is also working to improve healthcare infrastructure and services at district and sub-divisional hospitals to ensure better access to quality treatment across the state.

Referring to recent concerns over rainwater entering the trauma centre at GBP Hospital, Dr. Saha alleged that the facility had been constructed without adequate planning during the previous government’s tenure. He also accused the Opposition of attempting to use the issue for political purposes and alleged that efforts were being made to mislead the younger generation on various issues.

Mayor Dipak Majumder, Health Secretary Kiran Gitte and senior officials and representatives of the Health Department were present at the foundation-laying programme.