The heritage building of Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital in Tripura will be preserved, with retrofitting plans initiated for the hospital’s historic old building. Tripura Chief Minister, Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha , directed the Health Department to take action on this. He stated that the preservation work will be done similarly to that of Ujjayanta Palace and Pushpabanta Palace.
It is noteworthy that the hospital began its journey in 1873 as a 30-bed facility established by Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya Bahadur. During the British era, several memorial structures were built across India in memory of Queen Victoria, funded by various regional rulers. The then Maharaja of Tripura, Radha Kishore Manikya Bahadur, renovated and expanded the hospital, increasing its capacity to 54 beds for general patients and 10 beds for infectious disease patients. It was renamed ‘Victoria Memorial Hospital,’ with the name engraved at the top of the main building. The renovated hospital was inaugurated by the British Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, Sir John Woodburn, in 1904.
Later, in 1990, the hospital was renamed ‘Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.’ Today, the IGM Hospital has 608 beds and offers nearly all modern medical facilities. Approximately 1,200-1,500 patients visit the outpatient department daily. Additionally, the hospital houses the Agartala Government Dental College, Government Nursing College, and offers post-MBBS and NBEMS courses, along with training programs for various paramedical and community health officials.
