Agartala, June 25: In a major breakthrough for healthcare in Tripura, doctors at the Cardiology Department of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GBP Hospital have successfully treated a complex congenital heart defect without open-heart surgery for the first time in the state’s history.
The landmark procedure was performed on 11-year-old Arvik Debbarma, a resident of Teliamura block in Khowai district, who had been living with a congenital hole in his heart since birth. The condition had caused persistent breathing difficulties and recurrent chest infections, severely affecting his health, education and quality of life.
Arvik was admitted to GBP Hospital in March 2026, where he underwent detailed medical evaluation and continuous observation. Following comprehensive assessments, doctors decided to perform a minimally invasive transcatheter procedure instead of conventional open-heart surgery.
The operation was successfully carried out on June 10, 2026, under the leadership of Dr. Anindya Sundar Trivedi, Head of the Cardiology Department and Interventional Cardiologist. Using advanced catheter-based techniques, the medical team accessed the heart through blood vessels and closed the congenital defect without opening the chest. The intricate procedure lasted nearly two hours.
The young patient responded well to treatment and made a full recovery. Doctors said his breathing problems and repeated chest infections have been resolved. He was discharged from the hospital on June 19 in stable condition.
The achievement was the result of a coordinated effort involving cardiologists Dr. Rakesh Das and Dr. Manna Bhattacharjee, paediatric specialists led by Dr. Sribas Das, anaesthesiologists Dr. Rimjhim Chakma and Dr. Manimoy Debbarma, along with the Cath Lab team and technical support staff.
Notably, the entire treatment was provided free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, saving the patient’s family an estimated ₹6–8 lakh, the amount such procedures typically cost at private hospitals.
Medical experts described the successful intervention as a milestone in Tripura’s healthcare sector, demonstrating that advanced cardiac procedures can now be performed locally in government hospitals. Officials said the achievement reflects the state’s growing medical infrastructure, skilled specialists and commitment to delivering affordable, accessible and world-class healthcare to its citizens.
