Tripura CM Manik Saha expands digital health coverage and bans private practice for government doctors

At a meeting chaired by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said about 80 % of the state’s population now holds an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. He reported that the Health Facility Registry and Health Professional Registry are fully completed, that roughly 1.8 million digital tokens have been issued via Scan‑and‑Share across 31 government hospitals, and that a door‑to‑door campaign is underway to reach 100 % coverage. West Tripura has been selected as a model district, and the state’s Integrated Hospital Management Information System is being linked with national health portals, with the National Health Claim Exchange to be launched soon.

Saha also defended the state’s decision to prohibit private practice by doctors employed at GB Pant Hospital and Agartala Government Medical College, noting support from major doctors’ associations. He announced a 20 % non‑practising allowance and the implementation of Seventh Pay Commission recommendations to improve salaries and pensions for doctors who discontinue private work.