New health policy on anvil for Bengal

The state government could possibly invite physicians from outside the state to combat the shortage of doctors, Chandrima Bhattacharya, chairperson of the West Bengal Medical Service Corporation (WBMSC) hinted on Friday. She said that the Bengal government is mulling formulation of a new health policy to resolve the issue.

“The insufficiency of physicians throughout the nation is evident. We are planning to cope with the situation in Bengal. But no decision has been made yet to bring doctors from outside states,” Bhatacharya said.

She also added that as Banerjee is looking after the state Health department, people from all walks of life now feel safe in the state.

Additionally, the Bhattacharya said that the state is ready to welcome investment in health sector. “We will welcome the public-private partnership [PPP] in the health sector. The government is ready to join hands with any private party here,” Bhattacharya said.

“Bengal is a populous state. We are giving affordable, accessible and high quality treatment to the patients free of cost. We are also maintaining standards. The Chief Minister has fixed our vision as health for all,” Bhattacharya stated while addressing the 11th Healthcare East conference, organised by CII on Friday.

She also said the state Health department’s special focus is on the poor, mother, children and elderly, and those living in underserved areas. The department is emphasising on development and maintenance of standards of service in hospitals and health care facilities.

There are 12 medical colleges and hospitals, four homeopathic medical colleges and hospitals, three Ayurvedic colleges and hospitals and three dental colleges and hospitals in the state. Many such institutions are soon to come up. “We have created 27,000 new beds; we have diagnostic centres in remote areas as well. We’ll have 34 super-specialty hospitals soon,” said the WBMSC chairperson.

Meanwhile, Bhattacharya dismissed all claims that government hospitals are running short of medicines. “There is no dearth of medicines in the state-run hospitals. At least I did not receive any such complaints. We also have fair-priced shops in villages and urban areas,” she said.

RS Shukla, Principal Secretary of the department of Health and Family Welfare of the state government, said the state-run hospitals have a long list of medicines, which is now elongated after the inclusion of some new medicines.