Mobile App-Based OPD Registration Sparks Debate in Tripura Hospitals, Health Authorities Clarify Facts

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 22, 2025

The recent debate over app based registration of patients in major hospitals of Tripura through mobile applications has raised concerns, particularly regarding poor and uneducated patients facing difficulties. However, health authorities have clarified several key facts to clear the confusion.

Firstly, officials confirmed that there is no registered NGO named 'ABHA' working in the state’s hospitals. None of the public health facilities in Tripura have engaged any NGO staff for generating OPD slips, contrary to certain circulating claims.

Regarding consultation charges, it was clarified that AGMC & GBP Hospital and IGM Hospital provide OPD consultation free of cost, while in TMC (Tripura Medical College), patients are charged Rs. 30 per consultation, with no charge for revisit consultations.

Authorities also pointed out that alongside the ABHA counter, multiple normal counters for OPD registration remain functional in all public health facilities, ensuring that patients have options for registration apart from the mobile application system.

Addressing the issue of slowness in the registration process at TMC, it was highlighted that the hospital is still using an older version of the eHospital software, which is not cloud-based. Both TMC and NIC Tripura have been informed multiple times to upgrade the system, and meetings have been conducted in this regard. Despite the delay, the online registration process usually takes only 5–10 minutes, after which patients can easily move to the doctor’s chamber.

Health authorities reassured the public that continuous efforts are being made to streamline the registration process and reduce patient inconvenience, especially for those belonging to economically weaker sections.

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