Agartala, 12 September, 2024: In a major step towards improving healthcare services in Tripura, the state government launched the STAR NCD (Non-Communicable Diseases) project today. The inauguration ceremony was held at the Karl Landsteiner Auditorium of Agartala Government Medical College, where Chief Minister Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha highlighted the government’s commitment to providing advanced and modern healthcare to the people of the state. “Healthcare is one of the top priorities of the state government. We are dedicated to enhancing and expanding healthcare services,” he said.
The STAR NCD project is one of the priority projects under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The initiative aims to improve diagnostic and ambulatory care services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension in Tripura. The project has initially been launched in the Gomati district, and it is expected to be expanded to other districts in the future. The Chief Minister stated, “Many people in Tripura suffer from non-communicable diseases. Approximately 62% of patients in India are affected by such conditions. With the implementation of this project, we will be able to accurately identify the number of patients in the state and provide them with appropriate treatment.”
During the event, the Chief Minister also launched the Health Council Registration Portal for three divisions of the state’s health department. He emphasized that the rising number of non-communicable diseases is closely related to people’s lifestyles and that the STAR NCD project is a timely initiative for the state. “The project will not only enhance patient care services but also help doctors gain comprehensive knowledge about these diseases,” he added.
Health Department Secretary Kiran Gitte also spoke at the event, calling it a significant day for the state’s healthcare sector. He said, “The STAR NCD project will be highly effective in identifying patients at the grassroots level and providing appropriate healthcare services. Monitoring of the project will be carried out in each district subsequently.”
The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Dr. Nikhil Tandon from AIIMS, New Delhi; Dr. Ashu Grover; Dr. Samit Roy Chowdhury, Managing Director of the National Health Mission, Tripura; Dr. Anjan Das, Director of Family Welfare and Preventive Medicine, Tripura; and Professor (Dr.) H.P. Sharma, Director of Medical Education, Tripura.
The Chief Minister expressed hope for the overall success of the project and stated that it would pave the way for a new era in the state’s healthcare sector.
