Tripura, 05 Jan 2026: In a landmark achievement for public healthcare in Tripura, doctors at Khowai District Hospital have successfully performed the first-ever Total Hip Replacement (THR) surgery at the district hospital level. The complex procedure marks a major milestone in the hospital’s journey toward providing advanced medical services to the people of the region.
The surgery was carried out on a patient identified as Jyotirmoy Ghosh, a resident of Singichhara, on Tuesday afternoon around 2 PM. The operation lasted approximately two and a half hours and was completed successfully.
According to the medical team, a total hip replacement procedure generally costs ₹3.5 to ₹5 lakh in private or corporate hospitals. However, this surgery was made possible free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, ensuring zero out-of-pocket expenditure for the patient.
Orthopaedic specialist Dr. Aman Debbarma, who led the surgery, said that this was the first time a complete hip replacement replacement of both the ball and socket was performed at Khowai District Hospital. He explained that earlier, the hospital had successfully conducted a hemiarthroplasty (partial hip replacement), but this was the first full Total Hip Replacement.
Dr. Debbarma stated that the patient had suffered a hip fracture nearly two years ago following a fall, but due to financial constraints, he could not undergo proper treatment. As a result, the patient had been living with severe pain and difficulty in walking. After approaching the hospital four months ago, the medical team planned the surgery under Ayushman Bharat and arranged all required medicines and surgical instruments in advance to ensure a smooth procedure.
The surgery was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Aman Debbarma (Orthopaedics) with support from Dr. Biswajit Debbarma, Anaesthesiologist, along with the OT staff and hospital administration. Dr. Debbarma said the patient would be made to stand and walk from the very next day, and most patients regain normal mobility within a few months after such procedures.
He further highlighted that this achievement is not only historic for Khowai District Hospital but also for Tripura, as no other district hospital in the state has previously performed a total hip replacement.
Adding to the significance, Dr. Debbarma informed that the hospital is planning another first-of-its-kind surgery a Total Knee Replacement on a 26-year-old woman suffering from knee tuberculosis for the past three years. If successful, it will be the first total knee replacement performed at a district hospital in Tripura.
Doctors have urged residents not to hesitate in approaching Khowai District Hospital for orthopaedic and other advanced treatments, assuring that modern procedures are now available locally under government health schemes like Ayushman Bharat.
