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Bengal

Mamata recalls evolution of health services in Bengal on World Pharmacist Day

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday tweeted on World Pharmacists Day, stating how the health service scenario has evolved in Bengal in the past few years, giving a major boost to the government-run hospitals.

Taking to Twitter, Banerjee said: "Today is World Pharmacists Day. You will be happy to know that for the people of #Bangla, treatment, diagnostics, and drugs are now completely free in all govt hospitals. Also, 115 Fair Price Medicine Shops are functional in #Bangla, providing discounts up to 77% on MRP."

Providing health services to the patients in all the state-run hospitals completely free of cost has been one of the most significant milestones achieved by the Mamata Banerjee government so far, with crores of people reaping benefits of the scheme.

Most of the people in Bengal depend on the government hospitals and the health service schemes have been designed in such a manner so that the marginalised people, especially in the districts, can avail services without spending a penny from his/her pocket.

The budgetary allocation for the health sector in Bengal has gone up from Rs 682 crore in 2011 to Rs 9,552.70 crore in the current fiscal, clearly indicating the emphasis and impetus given by the Mamata Banerjee government to this sector.

The main objective of the project was to make health services accessible to the poorest sections of people, who cannot afford to go to private hospitals.

The success of the project has gone to the extent where a large number of people even from outside Bengal visit the medical colleges in the city, to avail quality treatment.

Following the implementation of the free health service schemes, a section of doctors and paramedical staff at some government hospitals allegedly tried to oppose the project, as it would hurt their interests.

This section of people in the hospital used to get benefits out of recommending expensive drugs, surgical equipments, orthopaedic implants and stents. It was often alleged that they used to get commission from the diagnostic centers against each clinical test performed on the patients.

The Chief Minister has made all the diagnostics and expensive drugs available at all the hospitals, free of cost. Medicines are available at the fair price medicine shops at heavily discounted rates.

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