Agartala, November 7, 2025: In a remarkable breakthrough for Tripura’s healthcare sector, the Neurology Department of GBP Hospital has successfully saved the life of a 54-year-old man from Banamalipur, Agartala, by performing a complex aneurysm coiling procedure. The minimally invasive surgery, carried out free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, marks a major milestone in the state’s neurological care capabilities.
The historic achievement was made possible through the combined leadership of Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, Prof. (Dr.) Anup Saha, Principal of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC), and Dr. Shankar Chakraborty, Medical Superintendent of GBP Hospital. Their commitment and administrative support helped the medical team at GBP Hospital set a new standard in public healthcare excellence.
The patient was first admitted to GBP Hospital on September 21, 2025, after suffering a stroke. Although his condition initially stabilized and he was discharged, further complications arose, prompting doctors to order MRI and MR angiography on October 22. The tests revealed a cerebral aneurysm—a dangerous bulge in a brain artery that could rupture at any time and cause fatal bleeding.
Recognizing the severity of the case, doctors readmitted the patient to the Neurology Department on November 3 for advanced treatment.
A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel inside the brain that bulges and fills with blood. If it bursts, it can cause a life-threatening brain bleed called a hemorrhage.
Weak or thinning artery walls, sometimes present from birth
High blood pressure and smoking
Drug use, especially cocaine
Genetic disorders like Marfan or polycystic kidney disease
Heavy alcohol use or head injury
Under the leadership of Dr. Abir Lal Nath, renowned neurologist, neuro-interventionist, and stroke specialist, the medical team quickly devised a plan involving Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) followed by aneurysm coiling, a delicate procedure designed to block blood flow to the aneurysm and prevent rupture.
Dr. Nath reassured the patient’s family that the surgery would be fully covered under the government’s health insurance scheme, ensuring financial relief during a time of distress.
Sudden, severe headache (“worst headache of life”)
Nausea, vomiting, or stiff neck
Blurred or double vision
Drooping eyelid, confusion, or loss of consciousness
Unruptured aneurysms may cause pressure symptoms like eye pain or vision changes
On November 5, Dr. Nath led a three-hour, high-risk operation assisted by Dr. Arpan Mitra, neurologist, and Dr. Manimoy Debbarma, anesthetist. The operation team also included nursing officers Pranakrishna Deb, Titiksha Majumdar, Debabrata Debnath, and Manas Dutta, along with cath lab technicians Sanjay Ghosh and Arijit Pal.
Their collective expertise ensured the surgery’s success, stabilizing the patient and preventing a potentially fatal rupture. The patient is now recovering steadily under close observation.
DSA is an imaging technique that visualizes blood vessels by removing background structures from X-ray images.
It involves injecting a contrast dye into the bloodstream through a catheter.
The “subtraction” process digitally removes bones and soft tissues, leaving only clear images of the vessels.
DSA helps detect blockages, aneurysms, and other vascular abnormalities.
Coiling treats a brain aneurysm by filling it with soft platinum coils to block blood flow and prevent rupture.
Doctors insert a thin catheter through the groin and guide it to the brain’s affected vessel under general anesthesia.
The coils stay permanently inside the aneurysm, encouraging clot formation and sealing it off.
In some cases, a stent is added to hold the coils in place, especially for wide-neck aneurysms.
Patients are closely monitored after surgery for vision, limb movement, and vital signs.
The broader support team featured Dr. Abhijit Acharya, Dr. Supratim Saha, Dr. Subhrajit Das, Dr. Poulomi Nag, Dr. Arkaprava Roy Chowdhury, and nursing staff Sebika Dutta, Rozy Chakraborty, Surajit Sutradhar, Arnika Sinha, and Abul Hossain. Their coordination and swift action were crucial to the successful outcome.
Expressing their gratitude, the patient’s family thanked Dr. Abir Lal Nath and his team for their relentless dedication and compassionate care. The successful procedure not only saved a life but also showcased GBP Hospital’s growing capability in performing advanced neurological interventions.
Doctors say cerebral aneurysms can remain unnoticed for years, so recognizing and treating the symptoms early is always beneficial.
Months before this latest success, the same neurology team had given hope to another family, saving a 28-year-old woman from a life-threatening aneurysm through a complex coiling procedure:
On July 23, 2025, doctors at GBP Hospital in Agartala performed a successful brain surgery on a 28-year-old woman suffering from a large aneurysm and repeated brain haemorrhages. The neurology team, led by Dr. Abir Lal Nath with Dr. Surajit Pal and Dr. Manimoy Debbarma, conducted a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) and coiling procedure free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The patient recovered well, marking a milestone for Tripura’s public healthcare system.
References:
1. Cleveland Clinic. “Brain Aneurysm: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic Health Library, last reviewed 10 Feb. 2023. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16800-brain-aneurysm.
2. Radiopaedia.org. “Digital Subtraction Angiography.” Radiology Reference Article, last revised January 11, 2022. Accessed November 8, 2025. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/digital-subtraction-angiography.
3. Brain & Spine Foundation. “Coiling of Brain Aneurysms: Fact Sheet.” Last updated: (n.d.). Accessed November 8, 2025. https://www.brainandspine.org.uk/health-information/fact-sheets/coiling-of-brain-aneurysms/.
(Rh/ARC/MSM)